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
 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 without Lily Marlene
 And you treated, my woman
 To a flake of your life
 When she came back
 She was nobody's wife
 And 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
 ♪
 What can I tell you my brother, my killer?
 What can I possibly say?
 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, 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
 That night when you planned to go clear
 Sincerely, L. Cohen