[Verse 1] Down at the mill where the catfish sleep Jervis Tetch got a grin too deep He wore that brim with the ribbon bent Like a prayer gone wrong and a circus tent Pocket full of sugar, pocket full of spite He’d grin at the moon and vanish from sight Said, “Come on in, baby, take a seat” But the chairs all rocked on a crooked beat [Pre-Chorus] Hear that spoon on the china cup Hear them bones when the night winds up He’s got your name in a paper crown And a rabbit hole where the rain goes down [Chorus] Tea in the swamp, tea in the swamp Mad Hatter calling with a tap-tap stomp Tea in the swamp, tea in the swamp You sip one time and the whole world slumps (tea in the swamp) (tea in the swamp) [Verse 2] He stitched up roses on a Sunday coat Kept a white glove hand and a dark-eyed note If you asked him why, he’d lean in close Say, “Every king here got a thorn in his throat” He’d take your fear and pour it warm Into little blue cups with a handle worn Then laugh so soft it could peel the bark From the oldest tree in the county park [Pre-Chorus] Hear that spoon on the china cup Hear them bones when the night winds up He’s got your name in a paper crown And a rabbit hole where the rain goes down [Chorus] Tea in the swamp, tea in the swamp Mad Hatter calling with a tap-tap stomp Tea in the swamp, tea in the swamp You sip one time and the whole world slumps (tea in the swamp) (tea in the swamp) [Bridge] Jervis, Jervis, with your stitched-up smile You’re a hailstorm dressed for the bridal aisle The church bell bent when you walked inside And the pews all groaned like a troubled tide Now the moon’s got teeth and the cypress leans And your card-house heart keeps playing the fiends If I hear that laugh at the edge of town I’ll leave my cup and lay my crown down [Final Chorus] Tea in the swamp, tea in the swamp Mad Hatter calling with a tap-tap stomp Tea in the swamp, tea in the swamp You sip one time and the whole world slumps Tea in the swamp, tea in the swamp Jervis Tetch got the whole night drunk (tea in the swamp) (tea in the swamp)
