Major discography:
Of Cabbages and Kings - EP - 1987
Face - EP - 1988
Basic Pain Basic Pleasure - Album - 1990
Hunter's Moon - Album - 1992
Never Too Late (compilation of first two EPs) - Album - 1992
Snake
Of Cabbages and Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With darkness and silence through the night
What a thrill
I'm searching and I'll melt into you
What a fear in my heart
But you're so supreme!
I give my life
In my time there'll be no one else
Crime, it's the way I fly to you (Snake Eater)
I'm still in a dream, Snake Eater
Someday you go through the rain,
And someday you feed on a tree frog,
It's ordeal, the trial to survive
For the day we see new light
I give my life
Not for honor, but for you (Snake Eater)
In my time there'll be no one else
Crime, it's the way I fly to you (Snake Eater)
I'm still in a dream, Snake Eater
I'm still in a dream, Snake Eater
(Snake Eater...)
The lyrics of "Snake" by Of Cabbages and Kings speak about the challenges of navigating relationships with people who are not trustworthy, as they are likened to serpents, or snakes. The singer acknowledges that these 'masters of disguise' are game and can be tough to identify or resist. However, they remain resolute, determined to learn how to weed out or clear away these 'snakes' from their life. Plus, they don't need friends who are snakes and who only offer disloyalty and disrespect, in search of honesty and loyalty.
The singer also expresses their frustration with insincere people who offer pretended friendship and then turn out to be the opposite. They describe the pain of feeling let down by even loved ones who end up being like wolves in sheep's clothing, especially when one has given their heart away in a relationship, and the partner turns out to be deceitful. They lament their recent learning that everyone is not the same, and that it is hard to trust anyone, as they've been repeatedly disappointed by people they thought had their back.
The song appears to be a lamentation about people navigating a world where people's motives cannot be trusted. It stresses the importance of mowing one's lawn, which is a metaphor for keeping one's immediate environment clean and free of undesirable elements (snakes). It tells the listener to be careful and aware of people's motives while trying to find friends who are loyal and trustworthy.
Line by Line Meaning
All around me
I am surrounded by snakes or people who do me wrong.
I see serpents
I can see clearly the people who are fakes or deceitful.
I tried to fight them
I attempted to confront them about their behavior.
But nothing's working
But none of my efforts seem to be effective in stopping them.
Master's of disguise
They are very good at hiding their real intentions or true selves.
There game's so perfect
Their manipulation is flawless.
You would be surprised
You would be shocked if you knew what they were really like.
But I'm still learning
But I am continuing to gain insight into who they really are.
How to mow my lawn to clear away the snakes! (Clear the Snakes!)
I am learning to remove the fake people in my life.
Don't need no friends so please stay far away!(Far away!)
I do not want any more fake or toxic friends in my life.
I just want love, respect, and loyalty! (Loyalty!)
I only want people who genuinely care, show respect, and are loyal.
Is that too much ask, like honestly? (Honestly!)
Is it really unreasonable to ask for these basic qualities in people?
Don't give a damn bout how you haters feel!
I do not care about how my haters feel or their negative opinions.
I'm not 100 but I keep it real! (Keep it real, keep it real!)
I may not be perfect, but I always speak and act genuinely.
You try to box me up, I'll break the seal! (Breaking the seal!)
If you try to limit or control me, I will resist and break free.
And I'll get out just like I'm Jordan Peele! (Jordan Peele!)
I will escape and overcome these obstacles like Jordan Peele's characters do in his movies.
Feel like a criminal with all the hate that I receive
I feel like an outcast or criminal because of the negativity directed towards me.
I ain't stupid, you should know the things that I've perceive
I am not oblivious, and I see through the lies and deception.
Snakey Jakes always finding different ways to hate
Deceitful people always find new ways to be hateful or hurtful.
Then try to make amends, knowing that it's far too late
They then try to apologize, but it is already too late to repair the damage.
They call you the bro, and tell you issa bond forever
They will call you their friend and say that the friendship is forever.
Piss em off then they flip, Pennsylvania weather
But one mistake or incident will cause them to turn on you like weather that changes quickly.
They'll lift you up and talk about you when your back is turned
They will praise you to your face, but then talk badly about you behind your back.
I never doubted issa lesson that I had learn
I have learned a lesson from these experiences and am not surprised by their behavior.
It's getting worse so I made myself an introvert
Things are getting worse, so I am becoming more introverted and keeping to myself.
All my friends are dead, but I ain't Lil Uzi Vert
I have lost many friends, but I am not as hopeless as Lil Uzi Vert's song 'XO TOUR Llif3.'
The pot is boiling over think I'm bouta go beserk
I am at my breaking point and may lose control.
They tried to poison my mental but it will never work (Achoo!)
They have tried to undermine my mental health, but I will not let them ruin me.
Pass the tissue I'm allergic to fake niggas
I am disgusted by fake people and their actions make me sick.
Don't hit my line when I'm a classic like framed picture
Do not try to contact me and be fake when I am authentic like a timeless piece of art.
My name is your lips I hope it taste like rutabagas
I hope that when you speak my name, the taste is terrible like the unpleasant taste of rutabagas.
I see you sleeping on me, time to get a rude awaken
I notice that you underestimate me, but it is time for a rude awakening.
You know
It's crazy how the people you love
Could turn out to be the Wolf in Sheep's clothing
You could give your heart away and still get dragged to Hell in a hand basket
I just hope it was worth it
'Cause when I reach my throne
I won't be coming down
And y'all won't be next to me
I mean...
If the shoe fits...
You know the rest...
It is surprising how the people we love can be deceiving and cause us trouble even after we have trusted them. Hopefully, it was worth it. When I reach success, those deceitful people will not be around me. And if you have something to say, make sure it applies to you before judging me.
And I'll get out just like I'm Jordan Peele! (Jordan Peele!)
Again, I will overcome the challenges like Jordan Peele's characters in his movies.
All around me
I see serpents
Snakes!
Reiterating the theme of surrounded by fake people or snakes in his life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Norihiko Hibino
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind