This song appears on eight albums, and was first released on the Rocky Mountain High Album and on Take Me Home, Country Roads & Other Hits, Greatest Hits Vol 1, The Very Best of John Denver (Double CD), Country Classics, The Country Roads Collection and The Rocky Mountain Collection albums. A live version also appears on The Wildlife Concert Album as a medley.


It¡¯s five o¡¯clock this morning, and the sun is on the rise
There¡¯s frosting on the window pane, and sorrow in your eyes
The stars are fading quietly, the night is nearly gone
And so you turn away from me, and tears begin to come

And it¡¯s goodbye again, I¡¯m sorry to be leavin¡¯ you
Goodbye again, as if you didn¡¯t know
It¡¯s goodbye again, and I wish you could tell me
Why do we always fight when I have to leave

It seems a shame to leave you now, the days are soft and warm
I long to lay me down again, to hold you in my arms
I long to kiss the tears away, give you back the smile
Other voices beckon me, to go a little while

And it¡¯s goodbye again, I¡¯m sorry to be leavin¡¯ you
Goodbye again, as if you didn¡¯t know
It¡¯s goodbye again, and I wish you could tell me
Why do we always fight when I have to leave

Have to go and see some friends of mine, some that I don¡¯t know
Some who aren¡¯t familiar with my name,
It¡¯s something that¡¯s inside of me not hard to understand
It¡¯s anyone who listens to me sing

And if your hous are empty now, who am I to blame
You think if I were always here, our love would be the same
As it is the time we have, is worth the time alone
And lying by your side, the greatest peace I¡¯ve ever known

But it¡¯s goodbye again, I¡¯m sorry to be leavin¡¯ you
Goodbye again, as if you didn¡¯t know
It¡¯s goodbye again, and I wish you could tell me
Why do we always fight when I have to leave

Words and music by John Denver