gordon lightfoot
This song is a result of being homesick in LA; walking in the rain watching take-offs at the international airport. Written in 1964, the song was first recorded by Gord himself, but first released by fellow canadians Ian & Sylvia in '65, and the original appears on Gord's first album "Lightfoot!" from 1966. Probably it's Gordon Lightfoot's most recorded song. It's been covered close to 200 times; country-rock, blues, bluegrass, pop and it's been crooned. Swedish group "Rank Strangers" introduced me to Gord's world with a straight version in the early seventies. Best version? Any except for Dylan on "Self Portrait" ...
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 ones so
in the early morning rain with no place to go
out on runway number nine big seven-o-seven set to go
but I'm stuck here in the grass with a pain that evergrows
now the liquor tasted good and the women all were fast
well there she goes my friend • she is rolling down at last
hear the mighty engines 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 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 rain
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
G Bm D D7 [D6] G in the early morning rain with a dollar in my hand G Em Am D7 C G with an aching in my heart and my pockets full of sand G Em Am D7 C D7 G I'm a long way from home and I miss my loved ones so G Bm D D7 [D6] G in the early morning rain with no place to go
