[Intro] We made a law. We broke it pretty. Paper moon up over a clever little city. [Verse 1] We swore off love with our collars high, ink still wet on the proud decree. No soft eyes. No garden sighs. No one stealing sleep from me. Then your laugh walked in with a lantern, put one gold match to the rule. I was halfway through a speech on discipline when my own mouth turned fool. Every friend had a sonnet hidden. Every vow had a trapdoor grin. We built a wall out of polished language, then passed notes through the cracks within. You said, “Say less.” I said, “Explain.” You said, “There’s your problem again.” [Chorus] Paper moon pageant, all shine, no sky. We dressed up truth till it learned how to lie. Too many words, not enough heart. We played it smart and missed the part. [Verse 2] There were masks in the afternoon garden, ribbons tied to the wrong disguise. I praised your grace in borrowed grammar, then forgot to look in your eyes. You caught me posing by the fountain, trying to make hunger sound refined. You said, “Do you mean it?” I said, “Meaning is a kingdom of the mind.” You rolled your eyes like thunder laughing. I deserved that weather whole. What good is wit with a locked jaw aching? What good is gold on a paper bowl? I had the perfect line prepared. You left before it cleared the air. [Chorus] Paper moon pageant, all shine, no sky. We dressed up truth till it learned how to lie. Too many words, not enough heart. We played it smart and missed the part. [Bridge] Here is the room. Here is the proof. Here is my mouth still overdressed for truth. No rhyme saved me. No joke stayed bright. The candle bent sideways and showed me the night. I made love wear armor. I made want stand still. I called it restraint when I meant I will. So take the crown made of paper and string. I knew every word but the plain one thing. [Final Chorus] Paper moon pageant, all shine, no sky. We dressed up truth till it learned how to lie. Too many words, not enough heart. We played it smart and broke the part. [Outro] The moon came down with tape on its back. I finally said love. You were already past that. [End]
