Leaving On a Jet Plane
Bobby Bare Lyrics


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All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye

But the dawn is breakin', it's early morn
The taxi's waitin', he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome, I could die
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

There are so many times, I've let you down
So many times, I've played around
I tell you now that they don't mean a thing

Every place I go, I'll think of you
Every song I sing, I'll sing for you
When I come back, I'll bring your weddin' ring

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

The time has come to leave you alone
Let me kiss you so close your eyes
And honey, I'll be on my way

Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times, I won't have to say

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane




Don't know when I'll be back again
Leaving on a jet plane

Overall Meaning

The song "Leaving on a Jet Plane" by Bobby Bare tells the story of a man who is leaving someone he loves behind to go on a journey. The lyrics convey a sense of sadness and regret as the man expresses his feelings of leaving and missing his loved one. He's apologizing for all the times he has let her down and promises to come back with her wedding ring. The chorus of the song is the most famous part and represents the moment when the man must leave: "I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again. Oh babe, I hate to go."


The song's lyrics are quite melancholic, and they capture the sense of longing, sadness and uncertainty that goes with long-distance travel. The man is going on an adventure, but he also knows that without the person he loves, the journey will be meaningless. The song has a unique emotional impact that comes from its heartfelt lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I have prepared myself to leave and all my belongings are packed


I'm standin' here outside your door
I am outside your door, about to leave


I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
I don't want to disturb your sleep, but I have to say goodbye


But the dawn is breakin', it's early morn
It is early in the morning and the sun is starting to rise


The taxi's waitin', he's blowin' his horn
The taxi is waiting for me and the driver is honking his horn to hurry me up


Already I'm so lonesome, I could die
I am already feeling very lonely and sad


So kiss me and smile for me
Please kiss me and smile at me as a way of saying goodbye


Tell me that you'll wait for me
Promise me that you will wait for me to come back


Hold me like you'll never let me go
Embrace me tightly as if you never want to let me go


'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I am leaving on an airplane


Don't know when I'll be back again
I don't know when I'll return


Oh babe, I hate to go
I am sad to leave


There are so many times, I've let you down
I have disappointed you so many times in the past


So many times, I've played around
I have been unfaithful to you multiple times


I tell you now that they don't mean a thing
I want you to know that those actions were meaningless and I truly care about you


Every place I go, I'll think of you
No matter where I am, you will always be on my mind


Every song I sing, I'll sing for you
Every song I sing, I will dedicate to you


When I come back, I'll bring your weddin' ring
When I return, I will bring your wedding ring as a symbol of my commitment to you


The time has come to leave you alone
It is time for me to leave you and be on my own


Let me kiss you so close your eyes
Allow me to kiss you so passionately that you close your eyes


And honey, I'll be on my way
And then, my love, I will be on my way


Dream about the days to come
Think about the future and the good times we will have together


When I won't have to leave alone
When I won't have to leave by myself anymore


About the times, I won't have to say
Think about a time when I won't have to say goodbye to you




Lyrics © Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Denver

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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