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 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
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, leonard cohen



She [Tori] started talking about the covers she has done, that when she covers a song it's not because she just likes it, but she needs to put a character to it. Like with Teen Spirit, she had always wanted to be a cheerleader, but was told she didn't have enough rhythm! And one day she was driving a truck--"I love Trucks"--and heard this song and loved it. But she had to have a character, so she decided she was Jane and has stolen this letter that has been written and is reading it aloud. "Famous Blue Raincoat".
-- details by Beth Coulter, VH1 Storytellers taping, 10/24/98