The hospital called last night
They said you'd gone code silver
They sent the police out searchin'
Found you down at Fifth and Minna
High on crack c**aine
You and Juan Valdez
They sent him back to jail
And they put you back to bed
They called in the mornin'
Said you were found outside
And put the phone down
Your cat jumped on my lap
And I laid down and I took a nap
Feelin' bad and full of shame
That I somehow contributed to your pain
I wish I could help you with your problems
But babe, I got enough of my own
I fell asleep and dreamed of you
The PA said code blue
I hailed a taxicab
Got there and found you up in west two
My beautiful sweet Elaine
All that was k**in' you finally drained
From your sweet angelic face
And I kneeled down
And whispered your name
I cried and I cried
You crawled and found a corner
And you died
I ought to kiss my sweet Elaine goodbye
And I walked out in the rain
I walked out in the rain
And there you were again
Lookin' down on me from high
Like a cloud in the sky
I cried and I cried
I remembered all the nights
That I loved my sweet Elaine
And that I kissed my sweet Elaine
And then I looked up high
Saw you floatin' in the sky
And I cried and I cried
Like a baby I cried
Not much to pick from in my view
Trees that shake when the wind comes through
And boats, I guess, and the water is blue
But I only feel alive when the birds fly
Not much to pick from in my record collection
I sold 'em all away, don't want no recollection
I put 'em in the past, don't wanna hear the songs
Just wanna play guitar and sing my own
The phone rang, I picked up, it was you
You said you were out there waitin'
I hailed a taxi, pulled up front
There stood a pretty lady smokin' a cigarette
Lookin' eight pounds heavier
I helped you into the back
And put your bags in the trunk