It’s Only a Paper Moon

a 1933 popular song
words by Billy Rose and E. Y. Harburg
music by Harold Arlen


The sheet music:


Accompaniment track:


Lyrics

I never feel, a thing is real
When I’m away from you
Out of your embrace
The world’s a temporary parking place
Mmm, mm, mm, mm
A bubble for a minute
Mm, mm
You smile, the bubble has a rainbow sin it

Refrain
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


Sung here by Fred Feild: