Famous Blue Raincoat

by Leonard Cohen
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Looking to play this yourself? Try the standard piano arrangement of “Famous Blue Raincoat
Two-handed piano arrangement — color-coded notes, lead sheet, sheet music. Learn it yourself.

Other arrangements of Famous Blue Raincoat

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Also available as a standard piano arrangement
Lyrics

It’s (Gm)four in the morn ing, the (Eb)end of De cem ber,

I’m writ ing you now just to (Dm)see if you’re bet ter.

(Gm)New York is cold, but I (Eb)like where I’m liv ing, the (Cm)mu sic on Clin ton Street (Dm)all

through the eve ning.

I hear that you’re (Am7)build ing your lit tle (Gm7)house

deep in the (Am7)des ert.

You’re liv ing for (F)no thing now.

I hope you’re (Gm7)keep ing

some kind of (F)re cord.

Yes,

’n’ (Bb)Jane

came

by with a lock of your (F)hair,

she said that you gave it to (Gm7)her

that night that you planned to go (Am7)clear.

And

Did you ev er go (Dm7)clear?

The (Gm)last time we saw you, you (Eb)looked so much old er,

your fam ous blue rain coat was (Dm)torn at the shoul der.

(Gm)been to the sta tion to (Eb)meet ev ’ry train,

you came home with out (Dm)Li li Mar lene.

And you (Gm)treat ed

my (Am7)wo man

to a (Gm7)flake

of your (Am7)life

and when she

(F)back

I hope you’re

no bo dy’s (F)wife.

Well, I (Bb)see

you

there

rose in

(F)teeth,

one more thin gyp sy (Gm7)thief.

Well, I see Jane’s a (Am7)way.

And

She sends her re (Dm7)gards.

The

And (Bb)Jane

came

by with a lock of your (F)hair,

she said that you gave it to (Gm7)her

that night that you planned to go (Am7)clear.

Sin cere ly, L.

(Dm7)Co hen.

Famous Blue Raincoat — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)

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Classic piano notation for "Famous Blue Raincoat" by Leonard Cohen as an accompaniment / backing track. Both hands engraved at publisher quality in Eb — sing or play melody on top while the score follows along at 100 BPM. Click any note to jump there.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (Eb) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

About “Famous Blue Raincoat

Is the engraved accompaniment score for "Famous Blue Raincoat" suitable for a pianist?
Yes — both hands are notated in classic piano notation (treble + bass clefs, key Eb, real chord symbols), engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML. A staff pianist or accompanist can read this directly from the screen or printed PDF and play the backing while you sing the melody.
What key is the piano accompaniment for "Famous Blue Raincoat" by Leonard Cohen in?
The backing track is in Eb at 100 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "Famous Blue Raincoat" with this accompaniment?
Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "Famous Blue Raincoat"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "Famous Blue Raincoat", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "Famous Blue Raincoat" as a backing track for my instrument?
Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "Famous Blue Raincoat"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "Famous Blue Raincoat"?
"Famous Blue Raincoat" was originally performed by Leonard Cohen. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by Leonard Cohen are available?
Other accompaniments by Leonard Cohen: "Almost Like The Blues", "Anthem", "Bird On A Wire". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
What is this accompaniment Sheet Music view?
Same engraver-grade rendering as the standard Sheet Music mode — both hands, classic piano notation, key of Eb, real chord symbols — but the audio is the karaoke / backing-track arrangement of "Famous Blue Raincoat" with the lead melody removed. Perfect for singers, lead instruments, and ensemble practice.
Can I sing or play melody while the score follows along?
Yes. The backing track removes the melody so you can sing or play it on top while the chord changes and rhythm guide you. The engraved score scrolls in time with the audio so you never lose your place.
Is this the same notation a piano book would show?
Yes — treble + bass clefs, key signature, time signature, beams, dynamics, and chord symbols above the staff, all rendered from the original publisher MusicXML. Identical reading experience to a printed piano accompaniment book.

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