it is only a paper moon hanging over a cardboard sea but it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me it is only a canvas sky sailing over a muslin tree but it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me without your love it's a honkey tonk parade without your love it's a melody played on a penny arcade it's a barnum and bailey world just as phoney as it can be but it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me