Famous Blue Raincoat

leonard cohen

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 now • I hope you're keeping some kind of records
          yes and Jane came by with a lock of your hair
          she said that you gave it to her
          that night when you planned to go clear
          did you ever go clear?

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
you came home alone without Lily Marlene
and you treated my woman to 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
          one more thin gypsy thief
          well I see Jane's awake
          she sends her regards

and 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 your enemy's 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 tried
          and Jane came by with a lock of your hair
          she said that you gave it to her
          the night that you planned to go clear
          sincerely L. Cohen