The Tea Leaf Prophecy (lay Down Your Arms) Lyrics - Singles - Mitchell Joni

Study war no more 

Lay down your arms 

Study war no more 

Lay 'em down, lay 'em down now 

Study war no more 

Lay down your arms 

Study war no more 

Newsreels rattle the Nazi dread-- 

The able-bodied have shipped away-- 

Molly McGee gets her tea-leaves read-- 

You'll be married in a month they say 

"These leaves are crazy! 

Look at this town--there's no men left! 

Just frail old boys and babies 

Talking to teacher in the treble clef." 

She plants her garden in the spring 

She does the winter shovelling 

Tokyo Rose on the radio 

She says she's leavin' but she don't go 

Out of the blue--just passin' thru 

A young flight sergeant 

On two weeks leave-- 

Says "Molly McGee--no one else will do!" 

And seals the tea-leaf prophecy. 

Oh these nights are strong and soft-- 

Private passions and secret storms 

Nothin' about him ticks her off 

And he looks so cute in his uniform 

She plants her garden in the spring 

He does the winter shovelling 

But summer's just a sneeze 

In a long-long-bad-winter cold 

She says, "I'm leavin' here" but she don't go 

"Sleep little darlin'! 

This is your happy home 

Hiroshima cannot be pardoned! 

Don't have kids when you get grown. 

Because, this world is shattered 

The wise are mourning-- 

The fools are joking 

Oh--what does it matter? 

The wash needs ironing 

And the fire needs stoking." 

She plants her garden in the spring 

He does the winter shovelling 

The three of 'em laughing 'round the radio 

She says "I'm leavin' here" but she don't go 

She plants her garden in the spring 

They do the winter shovelling 

They sit up late and watch the 

Johnny Carson show 

She says "I'm leavin' here but she don't go 

1988 Crazy Crow Music BMI