Famous Blue Raincoat

Its four in the morning, the end of december Im writing you now just to see if youre better New york is cold, but I like where Im living Theres music on clinton street all through the evening.I hear that youre building your little house deep in the desert Youre living for nothing now, I hope youre 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 Youd 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 nobodys wife.Well I see you there with the rose in your teeth One more thin gypsy thief Well I see Janes 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 Im 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, l. cohen

به توگويم

ديگر جا نيست

قلب‌ات پُراز اندوه است
خدايان ِهمه آسمان هايت
برخاك افتاده اند
چون کودکي بي‌پناه و تنها مانده‌اي

از وحشت مي‌خندي

و غروري کودن از گريستن پرهيزت مي‌دهد

اين است انساني که از خود ساخته‌اي

از انساني که من دوست مي‌داشتم

. که من دوست مي‌دارم

---

WHO BY FIRE
(from the album 'COHEN LIVE')

And who by fire, who by water,
who in the sunshine, who in the night time,
who by high ordeal, who by common trial,
who in your merry merry month of may,
who by very slow decay,
and who shall I say is calling?

And who in her lonely slip, who by barbiturate,
who in these realms of love, who by something blunt,
and who by avalanche, who by powder,
who for his greed, who for his hunger,
and who shall I say is calling?

And who by brave assent, who by accident,
who in solitude, who in this mirror,
who by his lady's command, who by his own hand,
who in mortal chains, who in power,
and who shall I say is calling?