It's Only A Paper Moon
Shout Sister Shout Lyrics
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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
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
The song "It's Only a Paper Moon", popularized by Ella Fitzgerald in the 1940s, is a nostalgic tune about the power of imagination and belief. The lyrics compare the world to a stage on which life is an illusion, but suggest that if one has love and belief in someone, nothing is impossible. The opening line, "Say, it's only a paper moon, sailing over a cardboard sea," evokes the image of a child's playroom with a toy ship floating on a blue blanket, piquing the listener's interest in a story about make-believe.
The tune develops into a message of romantic love, emphasizing its transformative power. The singer claims that the world is "just as phony as it can be" and compares it to a circus, but suggests that with the right person by their side, everything would become real. The chorus repeats the refrain "It wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me," emphasizing the importance of trust and faith in oneself and others.
Overall, "It's Only a Paper Moon" is a playful, lighthearted song that encourages the listener to embrace their playful, imaginative side and never lose faith, no matter how unreal or ridiculous things may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
I acknowledge that what we are looking at is a mere paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
It is just an illusion, a sight that is not real. It is like a paper moon suspended above the calm surface of a vast sea made of cardboard
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Although we are observing something that is not real, it would not be a mere imagination
If you believed in me
If only you have faith in us and our love, this sight would become real and concrete
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Above us, we see only a replica of the broad blue canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
It is a thin piece of muslin fabric fabricated to appear like there is a tree below that sky
Without your love
In the absence of your affection
It's a honky-tonk parade
My life is like a lively, boisterous parade of low-class entertainment venues
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It can also be compared to a monotonous tune played in a cheap amusement center
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world is just a chaotic, ephemeral showmanship extravaganza staged by people who want to draw attention at any cost, just like Barnum and Bailey circus
Just as phony as it can be
It is utterly deceptive and artificial
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Nonetheless, even though it is artificial, it can still be ratified
If you believed in me
If you trusted me, and we are on the same page and transparent about our love
Say, it's only a paper moon
Once again, It is just a paper moon we observe with our eyes
Sailing over a cardboard sea
It is just a paper creation of the moon suspended above a fake sea made of cardboard
But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, it would not be a figment of our collective imagination
If you believed in me
All it takes is for you to have confidence in me and our union
Without your love
In isolation and without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
It would all just be unpleasant, cheap entertainment
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Nothing better than a monotonous tune played in an amusement center with a limited selection of options
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world is phony and a mere spectacle
Just as phony as it can be
Absolutely synthetic, forced, and ornamental. Not being genuine is the essence of it
But it wouldn't be make-believe
With your love, it would still come true, despite being artificial
If you believed in me
If you had faith and trust in me, you have the capacity to authenticate what seems like make-believe.
It's phony it's plain to see
It is all superficial, and it is easily identified
How happy I would be
I would be the happiest person alive
If you believed in me
If you have confidence in our relationship and us
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind