Blue Coat and Jeans
(Spokane 10/6/1971)
Tonight I need a friend.
I drove to the town where people live,
A person inside every one,
And I looked all around and I saw them,
But I couldn't break in through their coats and their skin.
Tonight I need a friend.
So I went to a girl's house, a girl I once knew
But I thought that I'd quit her for good,
Still tonight there I went.
And she was at home with a friend,
So I borrowed a record - just for an excuse
'Cos I can't even play it - no deck!
Tonight I need a friend,
So I drove to the café and ordered a meal
And the waitress was nice and she smiled.
But she was there working and I knew I couldn't stay,
So I came away.
Tonight I need a friend.
So I set off back home and the grey sky let fall
Torrents of rain on my windshield
And the world was a blur and a rum-a-dum-dum
And beautiful too in its way.
Then I saw a young girl in a blue coat and jeans,
Dark hair and no hat or shoes,
Just walking along in the rum-a-dum-dum
And people drove past in their dry cars and stared.
So I drove round the block
And stopped
And asked
If she was OK - said she was,
If she wanted a lift - said she did.
So I gave her a lift to the place where she stayed
And there were no obligations so she thanked me and left
And she sure was grateful and young, cold and wet
And now she'll be drying and I drove home alone
And tonight
(she didn't know)
I need a friend.