It's Only A Paper Moon
The Duo Lyrics

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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

The Duo's song "It's Only A Paper Moon" is a classic tune about the idea of make-believe, and how it can become a reality if you believe in it. The lyrics suggest that the world is a phony and artificial place, but if you have someone to believe in, it can become something real and tangible. The paper moon and canvas sky are symbolic of a world that is created and not real, but if someone believes in you, it can make it seem like it is.

The song's lyrics speak to the universal theme of longing for love and companionship. Without love, life is just a fake world, a place of emptiness and artificiality. The song encourages the listener to believe in the power of imagination and the transformative power of love. By believing in someone else, one can create a world that is better and more meaningful.

Overall, "It's Only A Paper Moon" is an ode to the power of love and the transformative magic of imagination. It encourages listeners to embrace make-believe and believe in the possibilities of the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Say, it's only a paper moon
Acknowledge that what we see is nothing but an illusion

Sailing over a cardboard sea
The illusion is sailing over an artificial setup

But it wouldn't be make-believe
The illusion would be real if only...

If you believed in me
If only you have faith in me

Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The illusion now comprises of a painted canvas sky

Hanging over a muslin tree
Which hangs over a tree made of cloth

Without your love
In the absence of your love

It's a honky tonk parade
Life's a cheap, depressing parade

It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Life's an insipid song played by machines you put pennies into

It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Life's a world of circus and scams

Just as phony as it can be
As fake as it gets