Night Flight
Led Zeppelin渀 Lyrics

I received a message from my brother across the water
Someone sent me a message from overseas, likely a sibling.

He sat laughin' as he wrote the end's in sight
The sender of the message was laughing, likely because they know something is about to happen or come to an end.

So I said goodbye to all my friends
The recipient of the message bid farewell to their friends.

And packed my hopes inside a matchbox
They packed their aspirations and dreams in a small container, possibly symbolizing the importance of not losing them on their journey.

'Cause I know it's time to fly
The recipient of the message feels that now is the right time to leave and move on to something new.

Oh yeah, come on, meet me in the morning
The singer is inviting someone to meet them in the morning.

Meet me in the middle of the night
They want to meet at nightfall or in a secretive location.

Ah yeah, the morning light is comin'
The singer is expressing excitement about the morning which may signify a new beginning.

Don't it make you want to go and feel alright
The singer believes that the morning light has a positive effect and can make someone feel good.

I just jumped a train that never stops
The singer got on a train that does not have a designated stop or endpoint, suggesting that they are undertaking a journey with an unknown outcome.

So now somehow I'll know I never finished payin' for my ride
The singer feels that they didn't fully pay for their ride or experience and may have to face consequences because of it.

Just n' someone pushed a gun into my hand
Someone forced the singer to hold a weapon, symbolizing the challenges and dangers they may face on their journey.

Tell me I'm the type of man to fight the fight that I'll require
The person who gave the singer the weapon is suggesting that they are brave enough to face any obstacles or conflicts they may encounter.

Oh mama, well I think it's time I'm leavin'
The singer thinks it's time for them to leave their current situation.

Nothin' here to make me stay
They feel that there are no compelling reasons for them to remain where they are.

Whoa, mama, well it must be time I'm goin'
The singer again emphasizes that it's time for them to depart, as if they are being pulled to their next destination.

They're knockin' down them doors
The people or circumstances around them are changing quickly and drastically.

They're tryin' to take me away
The singer feels like they are being forced to move on from their current situation, possibly against their will.

Please Mr. Brakeman, won't you ring your bell
The singer is requesting assistance from a train conductor or staff member to alert others that it is time to leave or move on.

Please Mr. Fireman, won't you ring your bell
They are calling to another staff member for the same reason, to signal the need to evacuate the area.

Tell the people they got to fly away from here
The singer is urging the people around them to leave the area as quickly as possible.

I once saw a picture of a lady with a baby
The singer recalls a memory of a woman and her child or a picture of them.

Southern lady, had a very, very special smile
The woman who the singer remembers had a distinctive and memorable smile.

We are in the middle of a change in destination
The singer is currently in a transitional phase heading towards some new destination, possibly in their mind rather than a physical location.

When the train stops, all together we will smile
The singer believes that when the journey finally ends everyone will be happy and relived together.

Oh come on, come on now meet me in the morning
The singer is again asking someone to join them in the morning.

Won't you meet me in the middle of the night, night, night
They invite the same person to join them in a secretive or exciting nighttime location.

Oh oh yeah everybody know the mornin' time is comin'
The singer is emphasizing that the morning is just around the corner, concluding the journey.

Don't it make you want to feel alright
The singer again speaks to the positive effects of the morning and how it can make one feel good.

Ah, ah, yeah, make me feel alright
The singer acknowledges the positive impact the journey has had on them.

Fly now, baby
The singer is encouraging someone to take flight, possibly as a metaphor for taking a risk or trying something new.

Get to fly, yeah
The singer is still exhorting others to move quickly and take flight.

Fly now, baby
The repetition of the same line emphasizes the urgency to move on and try new things.

Oh hey, hey
The song ends with a simple and upbeat exclamation.