Famous Blue Raincoat
Leonard Cohen - Doholchi.com Lyrics
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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
She said that you gave it to her
That night that you planned to go clear
Did you ever go clear?
Ah, 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 without Lili 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 the 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 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 that you planned to go clear
Sincerely, L Cohen
The song "Famous Blue Raincoat" is a letter to an unnamed recipient, written by the singer, L Cohen. The lyrics suggest that the singer and the recipient had been romantically involved with the same woman, who is referred to as "my woman" and "his woman". The recipient is revealed to be the singer's brother, whom he calls "my brother, my killer".
The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and poetic language, and they tell a story that is both mysterious and heartbreaking. The singer speaks of the recipient's desert home, his torn raincoat, and the lock of hair that he gave to Jane. He also mentions that the recipient had planned to "go clear", which is a reference to Scientology, a belief system that both Leonard Cohen and the song's real-life recipient, fellow musician Joel Bernstein, were interested in at the time the song was written.
Overall, "Famous Blue Raincoat" is a hauntingly beautiful song that lingers in the listener's mind, thanks to Cohen's masterful storytelling and evocative lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
It's four in the morning, the end of December
The bleakness and cold of winter is coming to a close, as shown by the time and season mentioned.
I'm writing you now just to see if you're better
The songwriter is checking in on someone he cares about and wants to know if they're doing well.
New York is cold, but I like where I'm living
Despite the frigid temperatures of the city, the singer still enjoys living there.
There's music on Clinton Street all through the evening
A lively and vibrant music scene exists on this particular street in New York City.
I hear that you're building your little house deep in the desert
The person being addressed has moved far away to start a new life in isolation.
You're living for nothing now, I hope you're keeping some kind of record
The songwriter encourages the person to keep a record of their experiences, despite the feeling that they are aimless with no purpose.
Yes, and Jane came by with a lock of your hair
Someone has been visiting the singer with a personal item belonging to the person being addressed.
She said that you gave it to her
That night that you planned to go clear
The lock of hair was given as a symbolic gesture the night that the person being addressed decided to start fresh, turn over a new leaf, and remove themselves from their past life.
Did you ever go clear?
The songwriter is unsure if the person succeeded in their attempt at personal change and renewal.
Ah, the last time we saw you you looked so much older
The last time the two saw each other, it was clear that the trials and tribulations of life had aged the person being addressed significantly.
Your famous blue raincoat was torn at the shoulder
The person being addressed had damaged their signature article of clothing, suggesting a danger or recklessness in their actions or environment.
You'd been to the station to meet every train, and
The person being addressed had been obsessively looking for someone or something to arrive at the train station.
You came home without Lili Marlene
Despite their efforts, the person did not find the person or object they were hoping for at the train station, leading to disappointment.
And you treated my woman to a flake of your life
And when she came back she was nobody's wife
The person being addressed had a romantic relationship with the singer's partner, but their short fling ended the relationship and left her alone.
Well I see you there with the rose in your teeth
One more thin gypsy thief
The singer sees the person being addressed as a wandering, reckless, and dangerous figure who ensnares others with their charm.
Well, I see Jane's awake
She sends her regards
The person visiting the artist has a friend named Jane who is aware of the visit and wants to send her own message of well wishes.
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
The artist acknowledges their complicated history and the person being addressed's role as someone who caused them harm in the past. Despite this, the artist is grateful for their presence in their life and the way they shaped the path they took.
If you ever come by here, for Jane or for me
Well, your enemy is sleeping, and his woman is free
The singer warns the person not to come back as he considers them an enemy even though he acknowledges his forgiveness. He also declares his independence from his former partner.
Yes, and thanks, for the trouble you took from her eyes
I thought it was there for good so I never tried
The person being addressed had provided comfort and relief to the singer's partner, something that the singer had believed impossible to achieve.
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
The song ends with a repetition of an earlier verse, emphasizing the significance of this symbolic gift and the possibility of renewal and change.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@caitlinmelvage8967
We are the same age and became aware of Leonard Cohen at an age before we knew what did or could lie ahead. We only "guessed" about love. All of who we would become was as yet unknown.
But Leonard Cohen treated us to "flakes of his life" for all these years, like an emotional twin from whom we cannot separate our paths.
I am grateful for his example for the finale.
Like "The little Prince", I watch for Cohen in the stars.
It's unbelievable that your comment evoked this. I've decided not to erase it. Sincerely, K. Fricks
@Whatzzzz999
I can't think of another song that sets an atmosphere like this one.
Listen to it at noon on a bright sunny July day, and it's immediately 4 in the morning, the end of December.
Genius.
And the lines:
'Thanks
For the trouble you took
From her eyes
I thought it was there
For good
So I never tried'
A great song from a truly great album. Life-changing!
@RIDETHESUNSHINE
“No amount of soul searching would fix my past. There was no magical Band-Aid I could stick on my heart, no special glue I could use to make myself whole again. I had shattered to pieces like a fragile vase on concrete; some fragments could be roughly cobbled back together, but many of my vital parts had simply turned to dust, pulverized and scattered by the first gust of wind.”
Julie Johnson, Like Gravity
.
.
.
.
That was her. I can only Pray the grave gave her the peace this life never could.
I made a unpaid career of trying to save fish from drowning. No matter how much you love them, you can't save anyone from themselves,
Please Be Well, and Stay Strong, Will
@laura3003
that female voice in the background singing "da da" is the icing of the cake in this song.
@robertocarloshess
Especially at 3:30 when two women sing „da da“ in harmony.
@TheAvivakta
You sure right about that. Wish i could see him but too late for that.
@jodicummings380
It's the web sisters
@rolphy4338
Certainly is Laura, sets the mood x
@S.J.L
Female backing vocals really make many songs. Many of Cohen's, good call. It's the interplay between the two that makes great music, either sonically or by inspiration.
@RClock-bb7gi
My son doesn't get Leonards' music yet, but I will leave this comment for him to find after I'm gone. This song meant so much to me. Hopefully youtube survives. I love you. Keep searching. Carpe diem.
@butimar68
That's one great message to leave. Much love to you both.
@fatihrime
🫡
@cillianlyndon2192
Hi. I’m writing this with tears in my eyes. I’m 14 and just learned that my dad passed from a heart attack today. this was his favourite song right now and he loved sitting in my kitchen and playing it on the speakers. this song will always be a huge part of my life from this day on.
Edit: It’s been a year now and I want to thank all of you who have left kind words on this comment.
“All things grow with time, except grief”
This past year has gone by in the blink of an eye while also simultaneously feeling like the longest year of my life. Life without my dad is different. There’s a hole that can not and will not be filled but that’s not a bad thing. That hole serves as a reminder of the great man that was my dad. People say that time heals, but I disagree. I think that time lets you accept what has happened but the scar remains. This song now serves as a beautiful trip down memory lane in place of a painful ballad of mourning. For anyone reading this who has recently lost someone they love dearly, weep as much as you need. Every tear is a drop of love with nowhere else to go. Try your best to carry on but make sure to take days off to relax and be alone if you need to. Again, thank you for the messages and lots of love to you all.