The Snake
Another soul singer whose death I have failed to mention is Al Wilson, who died in April aged 68. Al, who came to fame via Johnny Rivers' Soul City label, is probably best known for Show and Tell. But I always liked the lyrics of The Snake, which was a minor UK hit in the mid 70s, several years after its original 1969 release.
On her way to work one morning
Down the path along side 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
Take me in, for heaven's sake
Take me in, tender woman, ssssighed the snake
She wrapped him up all cozy in a comforter of silk
And then laid him by her fireside with some honey and some milk
She hurried home from work that night as soon as she arrived
She found that pretty snake she'd taken in had been revived
Take me in, oh tender woman
Take me in, for heaven's sake
Take me in, tender woman, sssssighed the snake
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
She stroked his pretty skin again and kissed and held him tight
But Instead of saying thanks, that snake gave her a vicious bite (Owww!)
Take me in, oh tender woman
Take me in, for heaven's sake
Take me in, tender woman, sssssighed the snake
"I saved you," cried the womanAnd you've bitten me, but why?
You know your bite is poisonous and now I'm going to die
"Oh shut up, silly woman," said the reptile with a grin
"You knew damn well I was a snake before you brought me in
"Take me in, oh tender woman
Take me in, for heaven's sake
Take me in, tender woman, sssssighed the snake sssssighed the snake
Take me in, tender woman come on in you pretty snake.
A lesson for us all, I would suggest.
posted by Nick @ 10:03 pm
1 Comments
1 Comments:
Whilst I like Al Wilson's version of The Snake, I much prefer (and would recommend) the recording by the song's composer, Oscar Brown Jr, which appeared on his 1963 album Tells It Like It Is. He was a muti-talented man (also a playwright, actor and poet) and it was his 'performance' of songs that set him apart from other singers.
Oscar Brown Jr was also civil rights activist and, like James Baldwin, was scathing in his comments on the treatment of fellow African-Americans. Noting your subsequent post, these two artists (although not taking the sort of political path that Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King took) have always been heroes of mine.
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