Famous Blue Raincoat

It's four in the morning, the end of December

I'm writing you now just to see if you're better

New York is cold, but I like where I'm living

There's music on Clinton Street all through the evening

I hear that you're building your little house deep in the desert

You're living for nothing, I hope you're keeping some kind of record

Yes, and Jane came by with a lock of your hair

She said that you gave it to her

That night that you planned to go clear

Did you ever go clear

Ah, the last time we saw you you looked so much older

Your famous blue raincoat was torn at the shoulder

You'd been to the station to meet every train

And you never came home without Lili Marlene

So you treated some woman to a flake of your life

When she got home she was nobody's wife

Well I see you there with the rose in your teeth

One more thin gypsy thief

Well I see Jane's awake

She sends her regards

Oh what can I tell you

What can I tell you

What can I possibly say

I guess that I miss you

I guess I forgive you

I'm glad you stood in my way

If you ever come by here

Here for Jane or for me

Your enemy is sleeping

And your woman is free

Yes, and thanks

For the trouble you took from her eyes

I thought it was there for good

So I never really tried

And Jane came by with a lock of your hair

She said that you gave it to her

That night that you planned to go clear

Sincerely, L. Cohen