“Leaving, On A Jet Plane”

Two songs come to mind this morning as we prepare for a new adventure across the sea: John Denver’s “Leaving, On A Jet Plane” and one of my favorite scouting songs of many years ago, “The Happy Wanderer.”  

“All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go….The dawn is breaking, it’s early morn.  The taxi’s waiting.  He’s blowin’ his horn….Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane…I don’t know when I’ll be back again!”

I love to go a-wandering, Along the mountain track, And as I go, I love to sing, My knapsack on my back. Val-deri,Val-dera, Val-deri, Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha Val-deri,Val-dera.  My knapsack on my back.

I love to wander by the stream That dances in the sun, So joyously it calls to me, "Come! Join my happy song!” Val-deri,Val-dera, Val-deri, Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha Val-deri,Val-dera.  My knapsack on my back.

I wave my hat to all I meet, And they wave back to me, And blackbirds call so loud and sweet From ev'ry green wood tree. Val-deri,Val-dera, Val-deri, Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha Val-deri,Val-dera.  My knapsack on my back.

High overhead, the skylarks wing, They never rest at home, But just like me, they love to sing, As o'er the world we roam. Val-deri,Val-dera, Val-deri, Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha Val-deri,Val-dera.  My knapsack on my back.

Oh, may I go a-wandering, Until the day I die! Oh, may I always laugh and sing, Beneath God's clear blue sky! Val-deri,Val-dera, Val-deri, Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha Val-deri,Val-dera.  My knapsack on my back.