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 now
I hope you're keeping some kind of record

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?

Well, 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 came home with that Lili Marlene

And you treated my woman to a flake of your life
And when she came back she was nobody's wife
Now 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

Well, 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 that you stood in my way

If you ever come by here for Jane or for me
Well, your enemy is sleeping and his woman is free
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
That night that you planned to go clear

Sincerely, L. Cohen