Meaning of "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" by Jimmy Webb

"The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" by Jimmy Webb is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the pain of longing for something or someone who is out of reach. The moon in this song symbolizes an idealized love interest or an unattainable goal, embodying both beauty and distance. The speaker describes the initial allure of the moon, personified as a warm and golden mistress, but ultimately reveals the cold and harsh reality of trying to love something so unattainable. The imagery of falling out of her eyes and heart, tripping and missing a star, conveys a sense of failure and isolation in the pursuit of this unattainable love. The repeated refrain of the moon being a harsh mistress emphasizes the emotional toll of loving something that can never truly be possessed. The final lines, "And the moon's a harsh mistress, yes she is / She's hard to call your own," encapsulate the bittersweet realization that some loves or desires are destined to remain out of reach.