Famous Blue Raincoat

It's four the morning

the end of December

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

New York was 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, though

I hope you're keeping some kind of record, yes.

Jane came by with a lock of you here

she said that you gave it to her

on the night that you planned to clear

Did you ever go clear?

Last time I saw you

you looked so much older

your famous blue raincoat

torn at the shoulder

went to the station

to meet every train

you came home alone without Lily Marlen

You treated my woman like a flake of your life

and when she came back

she was nobody's wife, well

I see you there with a rose in your teeth

jut one more thin gipsy thief

oh, Jane's awake now

She sends her regards.

What can I tell you

my brother, my killer

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

for Jane or for me

Well, you're an army sleeping now

and your woman is free, well

Thanks for the trouble you took from her eyes

I thought it was there

for good

so I never tried

And Jane came by with a lock of you here

She said that she gave it to her

on the night that you planned to clear

Sincerely, L. Cohen