It's Only A Paper Moon
Morgan Frank Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Say, it's only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe

If you believed in me

Without your love
It's a honky tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade

It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

Say, it's only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade

It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

It's phony it's plain to see

How happy I would be
If you believed in me

Overall Meaning

In the song "It's Only A Paper Moon," the singer suggests that although the world may seem fake and artificial, it doesn't have to be if one believes in someone they love. The singer compares the moon being made of paper and the sky made of canvas, to illustrate the idea that much of what we see is just an illusion. Despite this, the person singing feels that with the help of their loved one, everything could feel more real and authentic. They believe that without their love, life and love songs would lack meaning and that it'll all be a honky-tonk parade. In general, the singer offers hope that despite the manufactured nature of the world, belief in love can make things more genuine.

The line, "It's a Barnum and Bailey world," refers to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, also known as "The Greatest Show on Earth." The circus was hugely popular in the United States and often used "sleight of hand" or illusions to create a magical show for the audience. Similarly, the singer is suggesting that the world is illusory and artificial, but could become real and authentic with love. This song encourages people to believe in the transformative power of love, because it can make even the phony world seem genuine.

Line by Line Meaning

Say, it's only a paper moon
I'm acknowledging that the world can be fake and unauthentic, like a paper moon.

Sailing over a cardboard sea
The experiences we have may seem superficial and unimportant like a moon made of paper, and exist in a world that is equally flimsy like a cardboard sea.

But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, if you open your mind and consider the possibilities of genuine and true feelings, then what seems to be make-believe can be legitimate.

If you believed in me
All of this depends on whether or not you believe in me and the sincerity of my affection.

Yes, it's only a canvas sky
As much as the sky may appear to be fake and unreal, like a painted canvas, it still overlooks real emotions and experiences.

Hanging over a muslin tree
The world may seem like it's made of cheap materials, like muslin, but it is still a world worth experiencing with someone you believe in.

Without your love
If I don't have your love, then my experiences and relationships would be meaningless.

It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love, everything would be nothing but a cheap and superficial imitation of true joy.

It's a melody played in a penny arcade
My life would be like a forgettable tune being played in a place where things are overpriced and unfulfilling, like a penny arcade.

It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world we live in can be exciting and flashy, like a circus from Barnum and Bailey, but it can also be fake and superficial at the same time.

Just as phony as it can be
This world can also be incredibly deceptive and fraudulent.

But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, if you believe in me and our relationship, it can be something that is real and authentic despite all the fake elements in the world.

If you believed in me
It all comes back to whether or not you believe in my sincerity and feelings towards you.

It's phony it's plain to see
The world can be obviously fake and insincere.

How happy I would be
If you believed in me and we could experience the truly genuine aspects of life together, it would bring me immense happiness.

If you believed in me
Everything revolves around the idea of you believing in me and the honesty of my emotions.

Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: BILLY ROSE, E.Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS