The Snake

Album: Searching for the Dolphins (1968)
Charted: 41 27
Play Video
  • On her way to work one morning
    Down the path alongside the lake
    A tender-hearted woman saw a poor half-frozen snake
    His pretty colored skin had been all frosted with the dew
    "Oh well," she cried, "I'll take you in and I'll take care of you"
    "Take me in, oh, tender woman (yes, come on in)
    Take me in, for heaven's sake (yes, come on in)
    Take me in, tender woman," sighed the snake

    Now she wrapped him up all cozy in a coverture of silk
    And laid him by the fireside with some honey and some milk
    Now she hurried home from work that night, as soon she arrived
    Now she found that pretty snake she'd taken in had been revived
    "Take me in, oh, tender woman (yes, come on in)
    Take me in, for heaven's sake (yes, come on in)
    Take me in, tender woman," sighed the snake

    Now she clutched him to her bosom, "You're so beautiful," she cried
    "But if I hadn't brought you in by now you might have died"
    Now she stroked his pretty skin again and then kissed and held him tight
    But instead of saying thanks, that snake gave her a vicious bite (ooh)
    "Take me in, oh, tender woman (yes, come on in)
    Take me in, for heaven's sake (yes, come on in)
    Take me in, tender woman," sighed the snake

    "I saved you," cried that woman
    "And you've bitten me, even why?
    And you know your bite is poisonous and now I'm gonna die"
    "Oh, shut up, silly woman," said that reptile with a grin
    "Now you knew darn well I was a snake before you brought me in"
    "Please take me in, oh, tender woman (yes, come on in)
    Take me in, for heaven's sake (yes, come on in)
    Take me in, tender woman," sighed the snake
    Sighed the snake
    Take me in tender woman
    (Come on in you pretty snake, come on in)
    Snake, snake (yeah, come on in you pretty snake)
    Take me in, tender woman (come on in, yeah, yeah, yeah)
    Snake (come on in yeah, yeah, yeah) Writer/s: Oscar Brown Jr.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Booboo from IdahoShelly Tambo sang this song to Maggie in Northern Exposure S4 E25 Old Tree
  • Evan In Nj from New JerseySo many lessons on this song. I think the best one is that you should watch their actions rather than listen to what they say. It applies to politicians and people in general.
  • Testdriver from America Could I take him in? He looked like he was just about bankrupt and forgotten, and under his colorful skin he was pale and almost dead. I really want to take him in. Also, that snake promised to make the country great again?
  • Fred from Laurel, MdThis song is a parable -- a fictional tale that relates, by analogy, a basic truth of life. In this case, it's a warning that there are some entities/creatures/people out there in the presence of which you must never let your guard down. Put another way, there is some evil in the world which no amount of kindness, helpfulness, accommodation, or capitulation will placate. A disturbing message, certainly, but one that needs to be pointed out sometimes.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."