This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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
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
Lyrics submitted by phaethon, edited by Shutyourmouth2, 2014, mdarabpour
Famous Blue Raincoat Lyrics as written by Leonard Cohen
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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Page
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Interesting to find this site, so late!
Was searching for interpretations of this song because Jennifer Warnes' version showed up on my CD rotation and found this site. Will look at the site more, it looks interesting. Enjoyed the various interpretations of FBR, but I have my own. I feel close to this song, because 30+ years ago, my wife left our relationship for my best friend. Also, I too checked out Scientology (went away with similar feelings, too), though it was a couple of years later. No doubt about that "going Clear" interpretation though.
I think Leonard was trying to describe many-layered feelings. I know at the time, I felt like I was losing two very dear attachments and felt a two deep voids. And I knew that I'd been a party to it, that my wife & I were too young, and becoming somewhat less at ease or attracted to each other - something was missing, the magic was evaporating. I encouraged her to be friends with my friend (she'd expressed that she didn't like him) and I'd tried to get them to be friendly (not sexually - it just went there before too long).
So, what are you left with? Feelings of hopelessness, feelings of having brought it on oneself, perhaps feelings of wanting to salvage something? They lived together a few years and split up. My friend & I re-established our friendship, though we now live far from each other. Curiously, at my male friend's wedding 20 years ago to someone else, my ex-wife and I talked briefly. We both had other love interests too by then. She took me aside, apparently, for some kind of apology for the craziness of years before, and said that "I was right about it all" (not sure what exactly). Looking back, - we were young - those were hard lessons of the heart. Much of the FBR lyrics though, evoke the feelings I had when I was trying to be calm, to salvage something (pride?, sanity?, friendships? intimacy? a lesson to move forward with?). I'm glad I chose to try to understand and forgive them - they didn't choose to fall for each other. They both wish they'd been kinder, and told me so years later. That's all I wanted. And this song helps with the wrapping, by the words and somber haunting mood of the music.