PTAblues

Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra Peggy Healey vocal from Victor record #24400 recorded 9/11/1933.
Whiteman's Orchestra recording was used in the 1973 Oscar-winning film Paper Moon. The song also featured in and lent its name to the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "It's Only a Paper Moon", being performed in that episode by James Darren.
Music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg and Billy Rose.
Lyrics:
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. Show less