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 brothre, 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 --