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

Tell me you're building your house

Deep in the desert

Are you living on nothing now

Hope you're keeping some kind of record

Yes jane came by with a lock of your hair

Said you gave it to her

That night when you planned to go clear oh

Did you ever go clear

Well the last time we saw you

You looked so much older

Your famous blue raincoat was torn at the shoulder

Stood in the station and met every train

But she never showed up I'm lili marlene

And you treated some woman

To a flake of your life

When she got home

She was nobody's wife

Yes I see you there with a rose in your teeth

One more thin gypsy thief

Well I see jane's awake

She sends her regards

Well what can I tell you

What can I tell you

What can I possibly say

I guess that I miss you I guess I forgive you

I'm glad that you stood in my way

And if you ever come by here

Be it for jane or for me

I want you to know your enemy's sleeping

I want you to know your woman is free

Yes and thanks

For the trouble you took from her eyes

I thought it was there for good

So we never really tried oh

And jane came by with a lock of your hair

Said you gave it to her

That night when you planned to go clear

Sincerely a friend