Now, I will be accused of ripping off this song.
Pedantic journalists will say, "Oh! Leonard Coen!"
But good people, let me tell you how it came to me.
I was vacationing with the son of Leonard C.
The night before our journey, we began to drink.
We finished off the bottle. Our breath stank worse than a Greek's.
We stole into his father's den, and reached inside a trunk,
Squaring up some argument 'bout failings the son flunks.
Adam had a sheaf of papers, scratched out his father's name.
He handed it to me, said, "This will bring you fame."
He said we must be going. The morning's drawing near.
I put the song inside the bottle and I always keep it near.

Adam, Adam, Adam, why'd you make a thief of me?
This will only darken my many failings.
Now I'm always talking to the corners of the room.
If I avoid contact, I might slip right past my doom.

Now I've got fame and fortune, women out the door.
Take careful drinks from this bottle 'cause it will cut for sure.
The social clubs, now they fawn and circle around me.
They laugh at all my jokes as they share with me my drink.
I ride around in limos, my career is going fine.
I drink with the driver. We draw cards on who will drive.
I bought myself a luxury, a painting by Chris Moss,
Needful things, leather-bound books, Tom Petty's old guitar.
I turn over the bottle, put what's left inside into my pen.
I send Adam a post card from every place I've been.
The pope he was kind enough to give me audience.
He blessed me as his child and I drunk the blood with him.

This song, it has proven to be my provider.
I take a drink, I rarely eat, I sing my bread and butter.
I spilled my drink as I raise my bottle for another cheer.
It spilled over my lips and I could taste my sinful tears.

Now it is years later and the critics are all bored.
Say my words I rearrange over the seven chords,
So Adam I return to you. I need my bottle refilled.
When he told me of his journey, in my throat there lodged a pill.
Seems Adam's father heard my song, he said, "That kid's not bad."
But Adam fell upon his knees, confessed all to his dad.
His father hugged his shoulder blade, said "Forgive. Forget."
They watered down the sins I sing by drinking one to it.
Now I'm sucking on a rock just to quench my thirst.
If I threw it at the bottle, I know the bottle would not burst.
My hands are womanly and soft, not chafing from this work.
The last time that I broke a sweat was from that song about it.
The papers say I'm washed up and no longer have the touch.
He relied far too much on his sinful crutch.
Now I must find another who will drink with me.
I'm thinking of one christian...

Nancy, Nancy, Nancy, your father sure could sing.
Walk your boots on over, and take a drink with me.
I will get her past the point of her common sense.
I will subtly imply her father's disappointedment.
She'll take my empty bottle, get up and leave the room,
Return with the bottle full, eager to hear me croon.
The critics all will say, "Oh, what a comeback!
I was always on your side. Let's celebrate and toss one back."
My thick uncultured hand has learned my ways are the ways of old men.
My northern blood is turning cold, chilled from drinking my sin.
Underneath the wine-stained page, my own song won't creep through.
I guess I will find another. What's a man to do?

I will make a list of children who have the rebel‘s bend.
When they drink with me, I'll suggest revenge.
Maybe there are others who will drink with yours true.
Rufus Wainwright, watch out, boy. I'm coming after you.

Drink motherfucker, Drink motherfucker, drink motherfucker, drink.
Drink motherfucker, Drink motherfucker, drink.
Drink motherfucker, Drink motherfucker, drink motherfucker, drink.
Drink motherfucker, Drink motherfucker, drink.
Drink motherfucker, Drink motherfucker, drink motherfucker, drink.
Drink motherfucker, Drink motherfucker, drink.
Drink motherfucker, Drink motherfucker, drink motherfucker, drink.
Drink motherfucker, Drink motherfucker, drink.
Drink motherfucker, Drink motherfucker, drink motherfucker, drink.
Drink motherfucker, Drink motherfucker, drink.
Drink motherfucker, Drink motherfucker, drink motherfucker, drink.
Drink motherfucker, Drink motherfucker, drink.


Lyrics submitted by Ayavaron, edited by Wertsir

Rufus Wainwright, I'm Coming After You song meanings
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