Early Mornin' Rain
Paul and Mary Peter Lyrics
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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
And I missed my loved one so
In the early morning rain
Out on runway number nine
Big 707 set to go
But I'm out here on the grass
Where the pavement never grows
Well, the liquor tasted good
And the women all were fast
There she goes my friend
She's rolling down at last
Hear the mighty engine roar
See the silver wing 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
This old airport's got me down
It?s no earthly good to me
'Cause I'm stuck here on the ground
Cold and drunk as I might 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
So I?d best be on my way
In the early morning rain
The song "Early Mornin' Rain" by Gordon Lightfoot, famously covered by Peter, Paul, and Mary, tells a story of a man stranded at an airport with nowhere to go. The song begins with the singer describing his situation: he is alone, broke, and filled with longing for his loved one. He describes how the airport is where he finds himself, surrounded by all the shiny new planes and technology that seem to mock his current situation.
As he watches a 707 take off, he reflects on the transient nature of flight and the vagaries of life. The singer wistfully contemplates the destination of the plane- far from the early morning rain of his current location. The song takes on a haunting quality as the singer realizes the vast distance between him and his loved one. He is a drifter, stuck in place- cold, drunk, and hopeless as he watches the planes take off.
The lyrics of "Early Mornin' Rain" illustrate a deep sense of loneliness and displacement- feelings that many people have experienced at some point in their lives. The song conveys a sense of hopelessness and longing for a place to call home- a theme that resonates with audiences even today.
Line by Line Meaning
In the early morning rain
I find myself in a difficult situation, alone and lost, dealing with heartbreak in the wee hours of the morning, without any clear direction in life.
With a dollar in my hand
My financial situation is dire, as I only have one dollar to my name.
And an aching in my heart
The emotional pain that I am experiencing is almost unbearable, causing me deep distress.
And my pockets full of sand
Even though I am broke, I have collected some sand as a souvenir from a place where time seems to stand still.
I'm a long way from home
I am feeling homesick, and being far away makes me feel even more lost in life.
And I missed my loved one so
I long for my significant other, missing them intensely and feeling the pain of separation.
With no place to go
I feel stuck and without a clear direction in life, wandering aimlessly and with no sense of purpose.
Out on runway number nine
I see planes taking off from the runway, giving me a sense of hope and escape.
Big 707 set to go
A large, powerful airplane is preparing for takeoff, making me wish I could join it on its journey.
But I'm out here on the grass
Instead of being on the plane, I am stuck on the ground, feeling helpless.
Where the pavement never grows
The barrenness of the concrete runway reminds me of the lack of growth and flourishing in my own life.
Well, the liquor tasted good
I turn to consuming alcohol to help cope with my pain and troubles, finding some comfort in its taste.
And the women all were fast
I am surrounded by women who are not interested in me, but who are moving quickly and living their lives with gusto.
There she goes my friend
I witness one of the airplanes taking off, feeling a sense of envy and longing for the same freedom and adventure.
She's rolling down at last
The plane is gaining momentum as it takes off, remaining out of reach for me.
Hear the mighty engine roar
The tremendous sound of the plane's engine resonates with me, amplifying the feelings of awe and simultaneous inadequacy.
See the silver wing on high
The shining metal wing of the plane looks like a symbol of hope, representing the dreams of flight and freedom.
She's away and westward bound
The plane is heading far west, carrying passengers to new places and experiences.
Far above the clouds she'll fly
The plane is soaring, beyond the realm of the mundane and the struggles of life on earth.
Where the morning rain don't fall
The plane is headed to a place where there is no pain or suffering, where the weather is always pleasant and warm.
And the sun always shines
The plane is going to a place of perpetual light, leaving behind the darkness of my current struggles.
She'll be flying over my home
As the plane travels westward, it will fly over my home, highlighting my own sense of displacement and longing.
In about three hours time
The journey of the plane will be complete in a few hours, making me wonder what it would be like to be on board.
This old airport's got me down
Being stuck in this airport has made me feel helpless and stagnant.
It's no earthly good to me
The airport serves no practical purpose for me, other than reminding me of my own limitations and flaws.
'Cause I'm stuck here on the ground
Being unable to take off with the planes leaves me feeling grounded and unable to move forward.
Cold and drunk as I might be
My current state of being is intoxicated and cold, reflecting the bleakness of my outlook.
You can't jump a jet plane
I realize the impossibility of breaking free from my current struggles by simply hopping on a plane.
Like you can a freight train
Unlike a train, a plane can't be intercepted in the same way, making it even more difficult for me to escape.
So I'd best be on my way
The only solution for me is to pick myself up and continue on, finding my own way forward despite my struggles.
In the early morning rain
Even though the rain persists, I must move forward, guided by my own determination and willpower.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gordon Lightfoot
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaimepepito2441
It's already 2023, I'm already 73 and yet I'm still loving to listen to this never fading song!!!
@jeffryphillipsburns
There’s no “yet” about it. Everyone continues to like the music of his youth.
@sterlingsomerville4096
Well l am 62 , loving the ole song,s ,they were great time,s ,as America @Canada was made great then,hope it coming back soon .
@soozkoozhooz5902
I'm 65 and find this song just haunting. I still can't get enough.
@jaylayland2867
63 and this song still soothes something in my soul.
@maggiegarber246
I am 74 and when my classmates were all abuzz about the Beatles, I was a huge PPM fan.
@janetsmith4458
Thank you Gorden Lightfoot for all your beautiful, heartfelt music. You will be remembered and missed...😢
@TheSuzberry
Forever.
@patrickryan1515
"Flying high above the clouds" He's away and Heaven-bound.
@coinneachmaclellan3121
And Ian Tyson of Ian and Sylvia, who wrote the Canadian classic, "Four Strong Winds", and with Sylvia was the first to record "Early Morning Rain" thus kick-starting Gordon's career, passed away just four months before Gordon.