About The Song
Early Morning Rain,” occasionally stylized as “Early Mornin’ Rain,” is a composition by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. He both wrote and recorded the song, and it is featured on his inaugural album, Lightfoot!, released in 1966. Additionally, a re-recorded version of the song is included in the 1975 compilation album titled Gord’s Gold.
In 1964, Gordon Lightfoot wrote and composed “Early Morning Rain,” drawing inspiration from his experiences during his 1960 stay in Westlake, Los Angeles. During this period, Lightfoot, occasionally homesick, found solace in visiting the Los Angeles International Airport on rainy days, where he would watch the incoming planes. The imagery of aircraft ascending into the overcast sky lingered in his mind. In 1964, while caring for his 5-month-old son, he decided to create a melody, placing his son in the crib, giving rise to the song “Early Morning Rain.”
The lyrics convey the tale of an individual facing adversity, positioned at an airport fence, witnessing the powerful departure of a Boeing 707 jet airliner. The overall narrative of the song can be interpreted as a modern allegory to a bygone era, depicting a traveler reminiscent of a hobo from the past, lurking around a railroad yard, attempting to discreetly board and ride a freight train to reach home.
The rendition by Ian & Sylvia achieved the top spot on the Canadian AC charts on August 2, 1965. In August of the same year, Peter, Paul, and Mary recorded their version, which reached No. 39 in Canada and No. 91 on the Billboard Hot 100. The following year, George Hamilton IV’s rendition climbed to No. 9 on the US country chart. In April 1971, Oliver’s version secured the No. 38 position on the US adult contemporary chart. Additionally, in 2005, Paul Weller’s take on the song reached No. 40 in the United Kingdom.
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Lyrics
In the early morning rain with a dollar in my hand
With an aching in my heart and my pockets full of sand
I’m a long way from home and I miss my loved one so
In the early morning rain with no place to goOut on runway number nine big 707 set to go
But I’m stuck here in the grass where the cold wind blows
Now, the liquor tasted good and the women all were fast
Well, there she goes, my friend, well she’s rolling down at lastHear 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 o’er my home in about three hours timeThis old airport’s got me down – it’s no earthly good to me
‘Cause I’m stuck here on the ground as cold 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 rainYou 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