It's Only A Paper Moon
The Nat King Cole Trio 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 Nat King Cole Trio's "It's Only A Paper Moon" is a classic love song with a whimsical perspective. The song begins with the sweet and hopeful lyrics "Say, it's only a paper moon, sailing over a cardboard sea," which paints a picture of a dream-like landscape that seems unreal. However, the song quickly takes a turn as it declares that it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me. The song suggests that the love of the one singing it could make the unreal become tangible if the other person believes in them.
The second verse of the song continues the playful theme by referring to a "canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree." These images emphasize the importance of imagination and implying that the singer wants the listener to see things in a different, more positive light. The lyrics continue to express the importance of the listener's love by suggesting that without it, life is a "Honky Tonk Parade" or a "melody played in a penny arcade."
Finally, the song concludes with a reminder that the world is not always what it seems to be. Although the world is fake and phony, it doesn't stop the singer from realizing his true love for the other person. The song serves as a reminder that love can be a transformative experience, and belief helps overcome obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let me tell you, this world is not real
Sailing over a cardboard sea
Everything around us is fake like a sea made of cardboard
But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, it can become a reality
If you believed in me
If only you had faith, everything would be real
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The sky we see is just a painting
Hanging over a muslin tree
The tree is made of muslin, a type of cloth
Without your love
Without your affection
It's a honky tonk parade
Life becomes a dreary and monotonous affair
Without your love
Without your affection yet again
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Our lives are reduced to the sound of a cheap music box
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world we live in is a circus
Just as phony as it can be
Everything around us is fake
But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, it can become a reality
If you believed in me
If only you had faith, everything would be real
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let me remind you, this world is not real
Sailing over a cardboard sea
Once again, everything around us is fake
But it wouldn't be make-believe
But still, it can become a reality
If you believed in me
If only you had faith, everything would be real
Without your love
Without your affection
It's a honky-tonk parade
Life becomes a dreary and monotonous affair yet again
Without your love
Without your affection once more
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Life is devoid of beauty and depth
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world around us is a spectacle
Just as phony as it can be
Just as fake as can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, it can become a reality
If you believed in me
If only you had faith, everything would be real
It's phony it's plain to see
It's evident that everything is fake
How happy I would be
If only I could be happy
If you believed in me
If only you had faith in 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.