Famous Blue Raincoat
Aaron Lyrics

It's four in the morning, the end of december
The singer is up late writing this letter in the quiet of the night, reflecting on the passing year.

I'm writing you now just to see if you're better
The writer is checking in on an old friend to see how they are doing.

New york is cold, but I like where I'm living
The writer is content with their current living situation despite the cold weather.

There's music on clinton street all through the evening
The writer enjoys the sounds of music that can be heard from their street.

I hear that you're building your little house deep in the desert
The writer has heard that their friend is living in isolation in the desert.

You're living for nothing now, I hope you're keeping some kind of record
The writer hopes their friend is finding some purpose in their life and keeping track of their experiences.

Yes, and jane came by with a lock of your hair
Someone named Jane visited the writer and brought a memento from their mutual friend.

She said that you gave it to her
Jane received the lock of hair from the friend during a previous encounter.

That night that you planned to go clear
The time when the friend gave Jane the lock of hair was also when they planned to clear their mind or soul.

Did you ever go clear?
The writer wonders if their friend ever accomplished the goal they set for themselves.

Ah, the last time we saw you you looked so much older
The writer reflects on the physical changes they noticed in their friend since the last time they met.

Your famous blue raincoat was torn at the shoulder
The writer remembers seeing their friend wearing a recognizable blue raincoat that was damaged.

You'd been to the station to meet every train
The writer recalls their friend's habit of meeting every train that passed through the station.

And you came home without lili marlene
Despite their efforts, the friend was unable to find someone or something named Lili Marlene.

And you treated my woman to a flake of your life
The singer's partner encountered their friend and was given a glimpse into their lifestyle.

And when she came back she was nobodys wife
The encounter had a negative impact on the artist's relationship and their partner left them.

Well I see you there with the rose in your teeth
The writer imagines their friend in a romantic and carefree pose.

One more thin gypsy thief
The writer refers to their friend as a wandering and unreliable person.

Well I see janes awake --
The writer thinks about Jane and imagines that she is still awake.

She sends her regards
Jane wants to let the writer know that she is thinking of them.

And what can I tell you my brother, my killer
The writer acknowledges the impact their friend has had on their life, both positively and negatively.

What can I possibly say?
The writer finds it difficult to put their thoughts and feelings into words.

I guess that I miss you, I guess I forgive you
Despite the hurt and complications caused by their relationship, the writer still feels fondness and forgiveness towards their friend.

I'm glad you stood in my way
The writer recognizes that their friend's actions, even if negative, have shaped them into who they are today.

If you ever come by here, for jane or for me
The writer acknowledges that their friend is always welcome to visit them or Jane.

Your enemy is sleeping, and his woman is free
The singer implies that their friend's past enemies are no longer a threat and that their partner has left them.

Yes, and thanks, for the trouble you took from her eyes
The writer expresses gratitude towards their friend for helping to ease their partner's sadness or worries.

I thought it was there for good so I never tried
The writer assumed that their partner's happiness would last, so they didn't work to maintain it.