"It's Only A Paper Moon" lyrics

"It's Only A Paper Moon"

You 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 & Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me

You 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 & 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


Writer(s): Harold Arlen, E. Y. Harburg, Billy Rose
box set: "The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books" (1994)
Ella Fitzgerald - The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books box set cover
box set: "Ella: The Legendary Decca Recordings" (1995)
Ella Fitzgerald - Ella: The Legendary Decca Recordings box set cover
Flying Home
(Instrumental)
Smooth Sailing
(Instrumental)