Silverstein's passion for music was clear early on as he studied for a while at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. As a songwriter, Silverstein kept a low profile but cast a long shadow. He tended to shun publicity and even photographers. Nonetheless, his musical output included many songs which were hits for other artists. Most notably, he wrote the music and lyrics for "A Boy Named Sue" that was performed by Johnny Cash (for which he won a Grammy in 1970); "One's on the Way" (which was a hit for Loretta Lynn), and "The Unicorn Song" which, despite having nothing to do with Ireland nor Irish culture, became the signature piece for The Irish Rovers in 1968 and is popular in pubs all over the world to this day. He wrote the lyrics and music for most of the Dr. Hook songs, including "Cover of the Rolling Stone", "Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball", "Sylvia's Mother", and the cautionary song about VD, "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most". He also wrote many of the songs performed by Bobby Bare, including "Marie Laveau", "Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe", "The Mermaid", "The Winner", and "Tequila Sheila". The song "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan",] recorded in 1979 by Marianne Faithfull and later featured in the films Montenegro and Thelma & Louise, was also by Silverstein.
Boa constrictor
Shel Silverstein Lyrics
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A Boa Constrictor
A Boa Constrictor
I'm being eaten by a Boa Constrictor
And I don't like it one bit
Whadaya know, it's nibblin' my toe
Oh gee, it's up to my knee
Oh heck, it's up to my neck
Oh dread, it's mm-mm-mm-mm
The lyrics of Shel Silverstein's song "Boa Constrictor" depict a humorous and exaggerated situation of being eaten alive by a Boa Constrictor. The singer is in a state of panic and discomfort, expressing his dislike for the situation. The repetition of the snake's name adds to the absurdity of the situation, as if the snake is a character in the story.
The singer describes the slow, gradual process of being consumed by the snake, starting with the nibbling of his toe, advancing to his knee, middle, neck, and ultimately ending with a muffled sound as the snake reaches his mouth. The use of onomatopoeia, such as "mm-mm-mm-mm," adds to the vivid and comical imagery of the song. It is interesting to note that the song can be interpreted as a metaphor for the suffocating feeling of being overwhelmed, as described by Silverstein himself.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm being eaten by a Boa Constrictor
I am currently being consumed by a snake known as a Boa Constrictor.
A Boa Constrictor
This particular snake is of the species Boa Constrictor.
I'm being eaten by a Boa Constrictor
I am still in the process of being swallowed by said Boa Constrictor.
And I don't like it one bit
I am not enjoying this experience at all.
Whadaya know, it's nibblin' my toe
Surprisingly, the Boa Constrictor has started to nibble on my toe.
Oh gee, it's up to my knee
Unfortunately, the snake has now consumed me up to my knee.
Oh fiddle, it's up to my middle
I am quite distressed as the Boa Constrictor has now swallowed me up to my waist.
Oh heck, it's up to my neck
I am now almost entirely consumed by the Boa Constrictor as it has reached my neck.
Oh dread, it's mm-mm-mm-mm
I am unable to communicate clearly as my mouth is now inside the snake's body.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SHEL SILVERSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind