Moon
The Webb 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 Webb's song "Moon" is a beautiful and poetic tribute to the power of belief and love. The song takes on a whimsical and almost dreamlike tone as it explores the idea that reality is only as real as we believe it to be. The opening lines "Say, it's only a paper moon / Sailing over a cardboard sea" set the stage for the rest of the piece, emphasizing the idea that the world we see is a construct of our own imagination. However, despite this ephemeral quality of life, the lyrics suggest that with the power of love and belief, we can create a reality that is both meaningful and real.


The refrain "But it wouldn't be make-believe / If you believed in me" drives home the theme of the song, that while the world we see may be phony, our emotions and connections are very real. Without love or belief, life is like a "honky tonk parade," or a "melody played in a penny arcade" - shallow, superficial, and ultimately meaningless. However, when we have someone to believe in, someone who loves us, we can transcend the phony nature of the world and experience something magical.


Overall, "Moon" is a beautiful and poetic ode to the power of belief and love. It encourages listeners to look beyond the surface level of reality and instead focus on the richness of our emotional connections to one another.


Line by Line Meaning

Say, it's only a paper moon
The singer admits that everything in life is temporary and nothing is permanent, much like a paper moon.


Sailing over a cardboard sea
The singer metaphorically compares the fragility of life to a cardboard sea, which is easily destroyed.


But it wouldn't be make-believe
The singer suggests that life can only seem like make-believe if you choose not to believe in it.


If you believed in me
The singer suggests that true belief in oneself can help make the temporary nature of life feel more meaningful and real.


Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The singer once again points out the temporary nature of life, comparing the sky to a canvas that can be easily painted over.


Hanging over a muslin tree
Even the basic elements of nature can be seen as temporary, much like a muslin tree that may not last forever.


Without your love
The singer admits that without the love and support of others, life can feel dull and lifeless.


It's a honky-tonk parade
Life without love can seem like a never-ending, monotonous parade of uninteresting events and experiences.


It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Life without love can seem like a simple, repetitive melody that can be easily found in a penny arcade.


It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world can feel like a circus, with extravagant shows and unbelievable performances that may not be entirely truthful.


Just as phony as it can be
Even though life can seem phony and fake, the singer suggests that it is still important to find meaning and truth within it.


It's phony it's plain to see
The singer reiterates that life can sometimes seem fake and insincere.


How happy I would be
The singer imagines a happier life with love and support from others.


If you believed in me
The singer suggests that true belief from others can have a positive impact on one's outlook on life.




Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, 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
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