Famous Blue Raincoat
Joan Baez Lyrics

It's four in the morning, the end of December
The singer is writing a letter in the middle of the night in December.

I'm writing you now just to see if you're better
The singer is curious about the recipient's wellbeing.

New York is cold, but I like where I'm living
The singer enjoys living in New York, despite the cold weather.

There's music on Clinton Street all through the evening.
Clinton Street is known for its lively music scene.

I hear that you're building your house deep in the desert
The recipient is said to be constructing a home in a remote desert location.

Are you living for nothing now, hope you're keeping some kind of record.
The singer questions whether the recipient is living a fulfilling life and advises them to keep some form of documentation.

Yes, and Jane came by with a lock of your hair
The singer met with a mutual friend of the recipient's, who brought a lock of their hair as a memento.

She said that you gave it to her
The recipient had previously given the lock of hair to their friend.

That night when you planned to go clear
The lock of hair was given to the friend on the night the recipient was planning to start a new life.

Did you ever go clear?
The artist questions whether the recipient actually followed through with their plan to start anew.

Ah, the last time we saw you, you looked so much older
The last time the singer saw the recipient, they appeared significantly older.

Your famous blue raincoat was torn at the shoulder
The recipient's signature raincoat was damaged.

You'd been to the station to meet every train
The recipient had gone to the train station in hopes of seeing someone specific arrive.

But she never turned up I'm Lili Marlene
The person the recipient was waiting for did not show up, and the singer uses the name of a popular song around that time (Lili Marlene) to illustrate the recipient's disappointment.

And you treated some woman to a flake of your life
The recipient had a brief relationship with another woman.

And when she got home she was nobody's wife.
The woman the recipient was involved with ended up not getting married to anyone.

Well I see you there with a rose in your teeth
The artist imagines the recipient with a rose between their teeth.

One more thin gypsy thief
The singer uses the metaphor of a gypsy thief to describe the recipient's wandering and unpredictable nature.

Well I see Jane's awake
The singer is imagining Jane awake at this time.

She sends her regards.
Jane sends her well wishes to the recipient.

And what can I tell you oh what can I tell you
The artist is unsure of what else there is to say to the recipient.

What can I possibly say?
The artist is at a loss for words.

I guess that I miss you, I guess I forgive you
The singer admits to missing the recipient and has forgiven them for any wrongdoing.

I'm glad that you stood in my way.
The artist is grateful that the recipient was a part of their life, even if it may have been difficult at times.

And if you ever come by here, be it for Jane or for me
The singer extends an invitation for the recipient to visit in the future.

I want you to know your enemy's sleeping, I want you to know your woman is free.
The singer wants the recipient to know that any enemies they may have are not a threat, and that the woman they were once involved with is single.

Yes, and thanks, for the trouble you took from her eyes
The singer is thankful to the recipient for helping someone they cared for overcome a difficult situation.

I thought it was there for good so I never really tried.
The artist initially believed the recipient would always be there, so they didn't make an effort in the relationship.

Sincerely, a friend
The artist concludes the letter simply as a friend of the recipient.