"The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" is a song originally written by Jimmy Webb and later performed by Joe Cocker. The lyrics depict the moon as a beautiful yet cold and distant entity, personifying it as a woman who is difficult to love. The song's opening lines describe the moon's allure and its golden appearance in the sky, tempting enough to try and reach out and touch it. However, the cautionary warning suggests that despite its warm appearance, the moon is actually a harsh mistress. The next verse refers to a time when the sun shone brightly, symbolizing a period of happiness and contentment. However, the moon rises and brings darkness, overshadowing the joy. This portrays the moon as a disruptive force, capable of taking away the warmth and light in one's life. The subsequent lyrics describe the narrator's personal experience with the moon. They fell out of her eyes and heart, indicating a failed connection or relationship. The mention of tripping and missing their stars suggests that the narrator's dreams and aspirations were affected by this failed connection. They fell alone, emphasizing the moon's emotional detachment and the feeling of isolation. The repeated phrase "The moon's a harsh mistress" reinforces the idea that the moon is a difficult and unattainable figure to love. The final line, "She's hard to call your own," echoes this sentiment and implies that the moon cannot be possessed or truly captured. Overall, "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" speaks to the bittersweet nature of love and the complexities of human emotions. It serves as a metaphor for unrequited love or the inability to fully connect with someone or something that is beautiful but distant.
