Leaving On A Jet Plane
DENVER JOHN 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 leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I tell you now, 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 wedding 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 leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time
Let me kiss you
Then close your eyes
And 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

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

But, I'm leavin' on a jet plane




Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Overall Meaning

"Leaving on a Jet Plane" is a classic song written by John Denver that was released in 1967. The song captures the sadness and uncertainty associated with leaving a loved one behind, but the hope and excitement of returning someday. The song starts with the singer packing his bags, getting ready to leave and standing outside the door of his loved one, reluctant to wake them up to say goodbye. He is leaving on a jet plane, but he does not know when he will return. He is already feeling lonely and sad as he reflects on the times he has let his lover down and played around, but reassures them that he will be thinking of them wherever he goes and that he will eventually return with a wedding.


In the chorus, he asks his lover to hold him tight and not let him go, to kiss him and smile for him, and to promise that they will wait for his return. He repeats that he hates to leave, but he has to go. The final verses describe the moment when he is about to leave, saying goodbye one last time, and dreaming about the days when he will not have to leave alone and the times he will not have to say goodbye.


The lyrics to "Leaving on a Jet Plane" are a bittersweet farewell to a lover, conveying the sadness, the hope, and the longing of the situation. The song was a huge hit for John Denver, and it has become an enduring classic, covered by many other artists and used in several movies and TV shows.


Line by Line Meaning

All my bags are packed
I have packed all of my belongings


I'm ready to go
I am prepared to depart


I'm standin' here outside your door
I am waiting outside of your residence


I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
I do not wish to disturb your rest to bid farewell


But the dawn is breakin'
It is becoming daylight


It's early morn
It is the early morning hours


The taxi's waitin'
The transportation I will be utilizing is present


He's blowin' his horn
The driver is signaling for me to come.


Already I'm so lonesome I could die
I am overcome with a feeling of deep loneliness


So kiss me and smile for me
Please give me a farewell kiss and show a happy expression


Tell me that you'll wait for me
Assure me that you will be patient until my return


Hold me like you'll never let me go
Embrace me tightly as if you will never let me depart


'Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
I am departing by airplane


Don't know when I'll be back again
I am unaware of when I will return


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


There's so many times I've let you down
I have let you down on numerous occasions


So many times I've played around
I have engaged in infidelity many times


I tell you now, they don't mean a thing
I disclose to you that those disloyalties were meaningless


Every place I go, I'll think of you
You will be on my mind everywhere I travel


Every song I sing, I'll sing for you
I will sing songs with you in mind


When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring
Upon my return, I will bring your wedding ring


Now the time has come to leave you
It is now time for me to depart from you


One more time
Just once more


Let me kiss you
Allow me to give you a parting kiss


Then close your eyes
After that, please shut your eyes


And I'll be on my way
I shall then depart


Dream about the days to come
Look forward to the days that are ahead of us


When I won't have to leave alone
When I won't have to depart unaccompanied


About the times, I won't have to say
At the time when I won't have to inform


But, I'm leavin' on a jet plane
But, I am departing by airplane


Don't know when I'll be back again
I am uncertain when I will come back


Oh babe, I hate to go
I am heartbroken to need to leave




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O CAPASSO, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Denver

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@reservoircats1385

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 leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I tell you now, 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 wedding 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 leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time
Let me kiss you
Then close your eyes
And 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
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 leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
But, I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go



All comments from YouTube:

@viktordickinson7844

His music was poetry, and his music leaves imprints upon the hearts of country boys like him. Rest in peace John

@rvoorma

he is alive yes

@billydick9962

Leaves an impression even on non country folks.

@Your_Wingman

​@@billydick9962 Amen to that 😂

@dawnjohnson3263

And a few city girls . . ❤️

@Matt-kd7xm

"It's ok to be sad, we will always be here"

@larrapappu3064

Here... HERE?! Abe XD yarr hmmmm here....
10 year later
BRO NOT EVEN IN COLLAGE WHERE IS HERE

anyway here a like

@okay38

@@larrapappu3064 i mean its what Calli said to Kiara when she was crying

@akibaratoram6375

that's right peko

@dmzvrs

Glory to takamori

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