The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress - chords, tab and comments

At the bottom you'll find a link to the complete lyrics.

At least the title of the 1966 scifi novel by Robert Anson Heinlein inspired Jimmy Webb to write this song. It was first recorded by Joe Cocker in 1974, following Glen Campbell (of course), Judy Collins and so on. Webb is famous for writing striking melodies with complex harmonies. Notorious among guitar players he seems to roll out a new accord with each note. His own interpretation of this song is live on YouTube, and it's embarrassing. But it's possible to play the way I've put it up, without twisting and spraining your fingers too much.

I first heard it with late Radka Toneff, during a jazz session a few months before she died. Something sounded familiar; could it be ...? Yup, sure it was. You always recognize a Webb song. At that time, the bells did not chime strong enough, but they lingered on for more than 30 years, until lately : it appeared on the radio, and today we've got the web and search engines. So here it is. Unfortunately, Radka is not (but she's on YouTube, of course).

G
see her as she flies
Cmaj7                    C ... D7sus4
golden sails across the sky
                  Em ... Em7 ... C
close enough to touch
     D7sus4         Bm ... E7/9
but careful if you try
                             Am ... Am7 ... D
though she looks as warm as gold
     Bm             Cmaj7 ... D
the moon's a harsh mistress
    D7sus4          G
the moon can be so cold

Originally, the song modulates three half steps to Bb key with the third verse. This works fine for a piano man; not for a guitar player. I raise it one step to A key instead, because the guitar is a harsh master ...
... and that famous run down chords in the prelude and interlude; well: I've found a workaround I'm not able to share. Do it your own way, like I did. The SONG is essential, not introvertet piano tricks. You might as well play the song G key throughout, and it's still beautiful. Happy working.

Edim ... E7
   E6             A   ...Dmaj7
I fell out of her eyes
                   D ... E
I fell out of her heart
   E6             F#m          D
I fell down on my face  yes I did
        E6                    C#m ... Edim
and I tripped and missed my star
                      Bm   ... Bm/A ...E
and I fell and fell alone
     E6             Dmaj7 ... D
the moon's a harsh mistress
    D7sus4          A
the sky is made of stone
A ... Amaj7 ... F#m
     E6             Dmaj7
the moon's a harsh mistress
D      Esus4            A
she's hard to call your own