Early Morning Rain
Paul Weller Lyrics
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In the early morning rain
With a dollar in my hand
And an aching in my heart
And my pockets full of sand
I'm a long way from home
Lord, I miss my loved ones so
With no place to go
Out on runway number nine
Seven-O-seven set to go
But I'm stuck here on the ground
Where the cold wind blows
Now the liquor tasted good
And the women all were fast
There she goes my friend
She'll be rolling down at last
Hear the mighty engines roar
See the silver bird on high
She's away and westward bound
Far above the clouds she'll fly
Where the morning rain don't fall
And the sun always shines
She'll be flying over my home
In about three hours time
So the airports got me down
It's no earthly good to me
'Cause I'm stuck here on the ground
Bored and drunk as I can be
You can't jump a jet plane
Like you can a freight train
So I'd best be on my way
In the early morning rain
The lyrics to Paul Weller's "Early Morning Rain" tell the story of a man who finds himself stranded in an airport with no way to leave. He has a dollar in his hand and pockets full of sand, feeling homesick and longing for his loved ones. He watches as the planes take off and wishes he could leave too, but he is stuck on the ground with nothing to do but drink and wait. The lyrics create a feeling of isolation and loneliness, with the singer longing for the freedom to leave and the life he left behind.
The repetition of "early morning rain" emphasizes the singer's feelings of hopelessness and despair. The rain is an apt metaphor for the singer's mood and situation, as it represents both a natural force that he has no control over and a symbol of sadness and melancholy. The lyrics also touch on themes of escape and freedom, as the singer longs to leave his current situation and return to the comforts of home. The contrast between the freedom of the airplane and the restrictions of the airport serves to highlight these themes.
Overall, "Early Morning Rain" is a poignant and introspective song that captures the feelings of isolation, longing, and despair that can arise when one is stranded in an unfamiliar place.
Line by Line Meaning
In the early morning rain
In a state of despair and helplessness, I am present on this deserted land, overwhelmed with emotions.
With a dollar in my hand
I am left only with a meager amount of money which does not hold much value in this situation.
And an aching in my heart
My heart is heavy, aching with the sadness of separation and the uncertainty of the future.
And my pockets full of sand
My pockets are full, but with sand, which is of no use to me. I carry the burden of this extra weight with me.
I'm a long way from home
I am stranded on this unknown road, far from the comfort of my home and the warmth of my loved ones.
Lord, I miss my loved ones so
The thought of being separated from my dear ones fills me up with a deep sense of longing and sadness.
With no place to go
I feel lost and without direction in this strange place. I have no destination to head to.
Out on runway number nine
I see planes taking off from the runway adjacent to me, reminding me of the opportunities for escape they offer.
Seven-O-seven set to go
I observe the 707 aircraft ready to take off, but I do not know when or if I will get a chance to board it.
But I'm stuck here on the ground
While the planes soar above me, I am metaphorically 'grounded' and unable to follow suit.
Where the cold wind blows
The weather is harsh and unwelcoming, with a cold wind blowing relentlessly, making me feel more vulnerable.
Now the liquor tasted good
The alcohol seems to be the only solace in this trying time, helping me to forget my worries for a brief moment.
And the women all were fast
I am in the company of women who do not seem to care about anything, living life frivolously and without concerns for the future.
There she goes my friend
She is leaving without me, as my opportunity to fly away with her has passed.
She'll be rolling down at last
The plane will be landing soon, and I am not on it. I am filled with regret and despair.
Hear the mighty engines roar
I can hear the mighty sound of the engines of the planes taking off, which fills me with a sense of awe and desperation.
See the silver bird on high
I am watching the airplane flying high up in the sky, wishing I could be on it too.
She's away and westward bound
The plane is soaring towards the west, far away from where I stand, making me feel even more distant from home.
Far above the clouds she'll fly
The airplane is high up above the clouds, somewhere I cannot reach, separated from me by a vast distance.
Where the morning rain don't fall
The plane is going to a place where it does not rain in the morning, far from my present situation of being drenched in the early morning rain.
And the sun always shines
The destination of the plane always has sunshine, symbolizing hope and brightness for everyone there, unlike the gloom of my current state.
She'll be flying over my home
The aircraft will fly over my home, reminding me of everything I have left behind - my comfort, my loved ones, my security.
In about three hours time
The airplane will reach its destination in three hours, but I have no idea when I will reach mine.
So the airports got me down
The airport surroundings are depressing me, making me feel low and despondent.
It's no earthly good to me
Being stuck here is of no use to me, as I am just wasting my time and my resources with no outcome.
'Cause I'm stuck here on the ground
I am unable to move forward, and the uncertainty of everything makes me feel all the more stuck.
Bored and drunk as I can be
I am bored and restless, finding temporary solace in liquor, numbing myself to the reality of my situation.
You can't jump a jet plane
Although plane travel is a possible escape from my current troubles, it is not easy to access or jump onto.
Like you can a freight train
Unlike a freight train that can be hopped onto easily, a plane is a difficult means of travel that requires prior arrangements and permission.
So I'd best be on my way
It's time for me to move on from my self-pity and try to find a way through this difficult time.
In the early morning rain
Despite the difficulties of the present, I must continue to move forward, even if it means facing my problems in the early morning rain.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gordon Lightfoot
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frank Hargreaves
when I 'served my time'..starting from school in 1980 ?
...my gaffer (John Geraghty of Five Star Dry Cleaners on County Road, Liverpool)..
...lent me two Lightfoot LP's. I still have them.
He still asks me for them back whenever I see him. :-)
..to be clear. We were engravers then. I don't do dry cleaning :-)
I saw Cradock and Weller do this in New York. Just like this. In Virgin on Times Square.
...yes. Amazing x
3 of the best gigs, in a week, anybody ever did...and I ever did see x
xx one love xx
Warren Butterfield
Today Gordon passed….I always look to Paul’s versions of Early Morning Rain…. He does it the justice it deserves….
Always heartfelt Majesty 🤎🗝️🙏🏼
Camano Rick
So well done. What a masterpiece performance of a great song.
dougie turnbull
never enough credit to the man steve cradock who is a true legend and a amazing musician, whom Paul has had by his side for many a year.
Andrew Boutell
Love Steve Cradock, Ocean Colour Scene
geoff G
This song always puts a lump in my throat - your rendition is very moving, purposeful and touches my soul. Thank you Paul.
Holymakinaw
One of the best Canadian songs ever written(by Gord Lightfoot). Weller does a beautiful cover of it. Love it.
Murdos Mum
This is a beautiful interpretation of this song. But then anything Paul touches turns to pure gold!
UKOK
The jam , the style council,Paul Weller this guy is class British music at its best
guillermo perdigo
one queeen oh crown poor PET on cobers
Michelle Din
I have heard this song by Canadian Gordon Lightfoot before but Paul Weller's rendition is especially sensitive and emotive - beautiful 😍