And what can I tell you my brother, my killer
What can I possibly say?
Sincerely, L. Cohen

Does it seem like Leonard Cohen leads a much more exciting life than you? “Famous Blue Raincoat” is a letter that he is writing to a former friend. He is asking how he is doing. His friend “went clear”: he disconnected from the people in his life. Cohen had a troubled relationship with his friend.

His friend had a fling with his wife Jane. Cohen notices that it brings happiness to her that he thought she would never find again. He feels that he lost a part of her because of it. Oh yeah, and Jane says “hello”.  It is a pretty crazy story. It’s great drama.

One interesting aspect is how he seems to show more affection towards his friend than towards Jane. He calls his friend “my brother” and says he forgives him but seems rather apathetic about Jane’s philandering. He noticed that she came back “nobodies wife”, yet he stays with her.

Perhaps this just wouldn’t be the place to say anything about his feelings about Jane. (That is, in a letter to his friend). But the primary emotion I feel that Cohen has towards Jane is relief. Like he is thankful to his friend that he snapped Jane out of her depression. She must have been quite an emotional burden.

Cohen’s best song might have been a cover by another artist.

Famous Blue Raincoat Lyrics

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
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

Songwriters: Leonard Cohen