Leaving On A Jetplane
Headwound Lyrics


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"Leaving On A Jet Plane"

I'm ... I'm ...

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

I'm ...

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

Every place I go, I think of you
Every song I sing, I sing for you
When I come back I'll wear 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 leaving on a jet plane
I 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, oh, let me kiss you
And 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 that I won't have to say ...

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

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

But I'm leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane




(Ah ah ah ah)
(Leaving) On a jet plane

Overall Meaning

"Leaving On A Jet Plane" is a song by John Denver that was popularized by Peter, Paul, and Mary in 1969. The song is about a person who is leaving a loved one behind to go on a trip. The singer is packing his bags and standing outside his lover's door, contemplating how much he will miss her while he is away. He wants his lover to wait for him and to hold him tight as he leaves.


The song's lyrics are full of nostalgia and longing. The singer acknowledges that he has let his lover down in the past and promises to wear her wedding ring when he returns. He dreams of the day when he won't have to leave her alone and can finally stay with her. The chorus repeats the phrase "Leaving on a jet plane" in a hypnotic, trance-like manner, emphasizing the singer's feelings of repetition and inevitability.


Line by Line Meaning

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I have already prepared to leave


I'm standin' here outside your door
I am currently standing outside your door


I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
I do not want to disturb your sleep to bid farewell


But the dawn is breakin', it's early morn
It is early morning, and the sun is slowly rising


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


Already I'm so lonesome I could die
I already feel so lonely that it feels like a matter of life and death


So kiss me and smile for me
Please kiss me and smile because it would make me feel better


Tell me that you'll wait for me
Promise me that you will wait for my return


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


'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I am leaving on a jet that I will be boarding soon


I don't know when I'll be back again
I am unsure of when I will return


Oh, babe, I hate to go
I really do not want to leave you


There's so many times I've let you down
I have disappointed you many times before


So many times I've played around
I have fooled around so many times


I'll tell you now, they don't mean a thing
I want to make it clear that none of those past transgressions were significant


Every place I go, I think of you
I think of you wherever I go


Every song I sing, I sing for you
Every song I sing, I dedicate to you


When I come back I'll wear your wedding ring
When I return, I will wear your wedding ring as a symbol of our commitment to one another


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


One more time, oh, let me kiss you
Just one more time, let me kiss you goodbye


And close your eyes and I'll be on my way
As you close your eyes, I will leave


Dream about the days to come
Please think about the future days we will spend together


When I won't have to leave alone
The next time I leave, I will not have to do it alone


About the times that I won't have to say ...
Think of the times when I won't have to say goodbye


But I'm leaving on a jet plane (Ah ah ah ah)
However, I am still leaving on a jet plane


Leaving on a jet plane (Ah ah ah ah)
I am departing on a plane that is about to take off


Leaving on a jet plane (Ah ah ah ah)
I am about to leave on a jet plane


Leaving on a jet plane (Ah ah ah ah)
I am boarding a jet plane soon


Leaving on a jet plane (Ah ah ah ah)
I am getting ready to leave on a jet plane


Leaving on a jet plane (Ah ah ah ah)
I am departing on a plane that is taking off soon


Leaving on a jet plane (Ah ah ah ah)
It is time for me to leave on a jet plane


Leaving on a jet plane (Ah ah ah ah)
I am leaving and flying away on a jet plane


(Leaving) On a jet plane
I am departing, flying away on a jet plane




Writer(s): John Denver

Contributed by Emma Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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