It's Only A Paper Moon
Nat King Cole & His Trio Lyrics
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Hanging over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make believe
If you believe in me
It is only a canvas sky
Sailing over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make believe
Without your love
It's a honky tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played
On 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 believe in me
Without your love
It's a honky tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played
On 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 believe in me
The lyrics to Nat King Cole's "Paper Moon" describe a world that is only made up of paper and canvas, but is made real through believing in someone else. The first verse describes a paper moon hanging over a cardboard sea, acknowledging that it is not real, but can become real through belief in a person. The second verse describes a canvas sky sailing over a muslin tree, once again acknowledging that it is not real, but can become real through belief in someone else. The chorus emphasizes the importance of love and belief, stating that without love, the world is like a "honky tonk parade," or a cheap and inauthentic show. But with love and belief, the world becomes real and meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
It is only a paper moon
The moon is actually a paper model and not real.
Hanging over a cardboard sea
It is hanging over a model sea made of cardboard.
But it wouldn't be make believe
However, it can seem believable.
If you believe in me
If you have faith in my abilities and trust me.
It is only a canvas sky
This sky is a product of painting on canvas material.
Sailing over a muslin tree
The trees are made of muslin, a cotton fabric.
Without your love
If I don't have your love.
It's a honky tonk parade
Life becomes a disorganized and tacky spectacle.
It's a melody played
It's just a tune without meaning.
On a penny arcade
It's like a cheap carnival attraction.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world is full of exaggeration, deception, and insincerity.
Just as phony as it can be
Just as fake as possible.
But it wouldn't be make believe
However, it can seem believable.
If you believe in me
If you have faith in my abilities and trust me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, S.A. MUSIC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gloomymilk7636
Say, its 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
@lemonlebowski1397
What a lovely song, one of my favorites! Why does everyone look like Nat King Cole?
@gloomymilk7636
Say, its 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
@fishussugon3215
What a nice song to fold origami to
@giojojodio
This is a JOJO referece?
@moderndayentertainer.9516
@@giojojodioMust be. And ironically, it's true.
@wackaircaftmechanic2312
I found this song on a cassette I found somewhere and just now played in my first car that's broken. Thank you whoever left this cassette tape to me.
@carolinemitchell5241
Such a great feel-good sound, musicianship, trio & inimitable vocal- & super song.
@joaoalfredo2848
O Nat King Cole Trio foi um dos inspiradores do movimento da Bossa Nova no Brasil no final dos anos sessenta. Música inovadora, de grande qualidade. 15.1.2021.
@bills2909
Loved this guy. Great talent
@nesswhopees
When your dad loves his beetles more than you.