The Tea Leaf Prophecy (lay Down Your Arms)

Words by joni mitchell

Music by larry klein and joni mitchell



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


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