It's Only A Paper Moon
Nat Cole King Trio Lyrics

Say, it's only a paper moon
The singer acknowledges that the moon is not real, it's just a paper decoration.

Sailing over a cardboard sea
The singer compares the moon to a boat that is floating over a fake ocean.

But it wouldn't be make-believe
Despite the fact that the moon and sea are fake, they wouldn't be imaginary if the person listening believed in the singer.

If you believed in me
The artist asks the listener to have faith in them.

Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Just like the moon, the sky is also fake, made of canvas material.

Hanging over a muslin tree
The sky is suspended above a fake tree made of muslin fabric.

Without your love, it's a honky-tonk parade
Without the love of the person whom the singer is addressing, their life will be boring and meaningless.

It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Their life without love is comparable to the music played in a cheap arcade.

It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world is like a circus, with things that are not what they seem.

Just as phony as it can be
The world is fake, superficial.

But it wouldn't be make-believe
Even though the world is fake, it wouldn't be imaginary if the listener has faith in the singer.

If you believed in me
The artist asks the listener to trust them.

It's phony, it's plain to see
The fake facade of the world is evident and visible.

How happy I would be
The singer expresses their desire to be happy.

If you believed in me
The singer's happiness is dependent on the listener's faith in them.