The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress

· by Karrin Allyson

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Lyrics

See her as she flies,

gold en sails a cross the sky.

She’s (Cm7)close e (Bb)nough to touch,

but be care ful if you try.

Though she (Eb)looks as warm (Gm)as gold,

the (Bb)moon’s a harsh mis tress.

The moon can be so cold...

Once the sun did shine,

(Bb)and oh, it felt so fine.

The (Cm7)moon, a phan (Eb)tom, rose

through the (Bb)moun tains (Eb)and the pines,

and (Eb)then the (F#dim7)dark (Gm)ness fell.

The (Bb)moon’s a harsh

mis tress.

It’s hard to love her (Ebmaj9)well.

I (Dbmaj9)fell out of her arms,

and I fell out of her heart.

I (Ebm)fell down on (Gb)my face,

and I (Db)tripped and missed my star.

I fell and fell (Bbm7)a lone.

The (Db)moon’s a harsh

mis tress.

The sky is made of stone.

The (Db)moon’s a harsh

mis tress,

she’s hard to call your own.

The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress by Karrin Allyson — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” by Karrin Allyson in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of Eb at 85 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

Tips for parents & teachers

Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" good for a child learning piano?: Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress"?: Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?: No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?: Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" use?: Just 32 chords: Ab, Absus4, Bb, Bb6, Bbm, Bbm7, Bbm9, Bbped, +24 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Karrin Allyson songs work for kids?: Try "BLAME IT ON MY YOUTH", "DAY DREAM", "TOO YOUNG TO GO STEADY". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.