Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you superb songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today we feature "Leaving on a Jet Plane," a song written in 1966 by John Denver and famously recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary. It was the trio's biggest hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard chart in 1969.
Mary Travers and John Denver
In the video at the bottom of this post, we see the song performed by a rarely seen quartet, as Denver adds his sweet voice to the dynamic harmonies of Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Mary Travers.
Originally titled "Babe, I Hate to Go," the love song was written by a 23-year-old Denver during a layover at the airport in Washington, D.C. He was lamenting how much he hated leaving his girlfriend when he went on tour and how he wanted to cement their relationship when he returned.
In Denver's original version, the lyrics promise, "When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring." Interestingly, when Travers sang the lead vocals during her performances with Paul, Paul and Mary, she changed the phrase to "When I come back, I'll wear your wedding ring."
Enjoy the video. The lyrics are below because we know you'll be singing along.
"Leaving on a Jet Plane"
Written by John Denver. Performed by Peter, Paul and Mary, with John Denver.
All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I'm standing 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 waiting, he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could cry
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
(Oh baby, don't let me go)
I'm leavin' on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, 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 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
(Oh baby, don't let me go)
I'm leavin' 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 let me kiss you
Then 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, 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
(Oh baby, don't let me go)
I'm leavin' on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
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