Leaving On A Jet Plane
My Morning Jacket Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane




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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Leaving on a Jet Plane" by My Morning Jacket convey heartfelt emotions of a person leaving a loved one behind. The song begins with the singer stating that all his bags are packed, and he's standing outside the door of his lover. The dawn is breaking, and it's early morning, and a taxi is waiting for him, honking its horn. The singer feels lonely already, and the person he is leaving behind is sleeping blissfully. The singer confesses that he hates to wake his lover to say goodbye, but he has no choice but to go.


In the chorus, the singer seeks reassurance from his love. He wants a goodbye kiss and a smile and asks his beloved to wait for him. He also wants to be held and not let go to feel secure before leaving on the plane. The next verse shows the singer acknowledging that he hasn't been a perfect partner and has let his lover down several times. However, he wants his beloved to know that these mistakes do not mean anything. He promises to think of her every time he visits a new place and sing songs dedicated to her. He assures her that when he comes back, he will bring her a wedding ring.


The final verse consists of the singer bidding a heartfelt goodbye to his love. He requests one last kiss, and then he promises he will be on his way. He also tells her to dream about the days to come when they won't have to say goodbye, and he won't have to leave her alone. The song ends with the chorus, where the singer repeats that he hates to go, but he has to "leave on a jet plane" without knowing when he will be back.


Line by Line Meaning

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I have finished packing all my belongings and I am prepared to depart


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


I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
I am distressed that I must disturb your sleep to bid farewell


But the dawn is breakin' it's early morn
The sun is beginning to rise and morning is approaching


The taxi's waitin' he's blowin' his horn
The taxi I have arranged for is waiting outside and the driver is sounding his horn


Already I'm so lonesome I could die
I am already feeling incredibly lonely and despondent


So kiss me and smile for me
Please kiss me and offer me a smile


Tell me that you'll wait for me
Assure me that you will wait for me while I am gone


Hold me like you'll never let me go
Embrace me tightly and never let go


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


Don't know when I'll be back again
I do not know when I will return


Oh baby, I hate to go
I am deeply sorrowful to be leaving


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 been unfaithful many times


I tell you now, they don't mean a thing
I am informing you that my past transgressions hold no significance


Every place I go, I'll think of you
I will think of you constantly, no matter where I am


Every song I sing, I'll sing for you
All the music I perform, I will dedicate to you


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


Now the time has come to leave you
The moment has arrived for me to depart from your side


One more time let me kiss you
Please allow me to kiss you one last time


Close your eyes I'll be on my way
Please shut your eyes while I continue on my journey


Dream about the days to come
Please dream about the future days we will have together


When I won't have to leave alone
When I depart, I will no longer have to be alone


About the times, I won't have to say
I will no longer have to say goodbye in the future


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


Don't know when I'll be back again
I do not know when I will return


Oh baby, I hate to go
I am deeply sorrowful to be leaving


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


Don't know when I'll be back again
I do not know when I will return


Oh baby, I hate to go
I am deeply sorrowful to be leaving




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@BayAreaSun

Mayans M.C. Season 03 Episode 03 brought me here.
...Love this version, lead vocal sounds awesome

@Paul20661

yup,same

@miguelramosjr9240

Yes this version better

@eddiefranco1780

me too

@lelehart3

Only JJ can offer such a wonderful rendition. Such a lovely tribute from one great singer to another. Thank You.

@thatjoeyz

it may be easy to poke fun at john denver. the truth is that he was an amazing gift. a world class songwriter, singer and performer. and a heck of a human being. i memorized every word to every song in the 70s. my son and i just saw my morning jacket in concert at artpark in lewiston, ny. they tore it up! their music and energy makes them one of the best contemporary live bands. and their covers of "rocket man", "this land is your land" and this song truly underscores the fact that they understand the beauty of music. this album is a treasure. long live john denver.

@bolton1023

The MMJ Artpark show was magical

@iguanadans

I was at that concert too. It was phenomenal. I loved when Jim mentioned that he had hiked down into the Niagara Gorge and how beautiful it was. Hard to believe it was that long ago.

@marcushawkins7981

I dare say better than the original. "Jim James has the voice of an angel."-Stan Smith

@curtisgrunsky5014

This is wonderfully done. really captures a place in time for me.

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