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Emmylou Harris — Snake Song
Album: Poet - a tribute to Townes Van Zandt
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 991









Released: 2001
Length: 2:27
Plays (last 30 days): 1
You can't hold me
I'm too slippery
I do no sleepin'
I get lonely
you can touch me
if you want to
I got poison
I just might bite you

Lie in circles
on the sunlight
shine like diamonds
on a dark night
ain't no mercy
in my smilin'
only fangs and
sweet beguiling

Future, he don't
try to find me
skin I been through
dies behind me
solid hollow
wrapped in hatred
not a drop of
venom wasted

You can slip in
try to find me
hold your breath and
flat deny me
it makes no difference
to my thinkin'
I'll be here when
you start sinkin'
Comments (61)add comment
All hail Emmylou.
2 geniuses
 dwsneed wrote:

That "dude" is Towns Van Zandt, one of the greatest song writers, ever.


Ever, ever.
 dwsneed wrote:

That "dude" is Towns Van Zandt, one of the greatest song writers, ever.



Townes Van Zandt is also one of the most influential songwriters also.

Steve Earl, not a bad songwriter himself, named his late son, Justin Townes Earl.
 Ipse_Dixit wrote:
The dude on the album cover looks like Greg from Succession.
 
That "dude" is Towns Van Zandt, one of the greatest song writers, ever.
Towns and Emmylou, a combination that makes for pure excellence.
More Townes Van Zandt! He is too incredible to be relegated to such obscurity on this incredible station. 
The dude on the album cover looks like Greg from Succession.
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Why do I have to endure this stuff just to get to the good songs? The song doesn't even have a melody.
 

To build character. I'm sure you are better for it.
always happy to hear townes’ music
Well this song certainly made me curious about the album, and a look-up at 'AllMusic' gives it a rave review and high marks from both critics and listeners, for those of you who might be interested.
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Why do I have to endure this stuff just to get to the good songs? The song doesn't even have a melody.
 
You may want to look up the definition of the word "melody" before you go around denying its existence.  This song certainly has a melody.
Strong song, this singer is worth knowing more about, and the subject is even more fascinating imo
right on the money!
I happened to meet Emmylou yesterday (Apr. 1st) at Vanderbilt in Nashville. We were there just waiting at valet parking for our cars to come around. What a kind soul, a real sweetheart.
 
TVZ wasn't country

rulebritannia wrote:
Liking this song makes me afraid I'm starting to like....Country!

 


Coming back from listening to Townes Van Zandt on YouTube to this.  Interesting!
{#Clap}
{#Sleep}
Liking this song makes me afraid I'm starting to like....Country!
Kregg wrote:
"well emmylou stands up next to a mountain"
Certainly an innovative version of Voodoo Child. The guitar break is a completely new treatment.
"well emmylou stands up next to a mountain"
lou lou is bringing the place DOWN!
not diggin it
Shesdifferent wrote:
Why do I have to endure this stuff just to get to the good songs? The song doesn't even have a melody.
Time to revoke your visa
I hate to say, cause I love Emmylou, but her voice really sounds ravaged and it breaks my heart.
have good, get give babyarm
janellish wrote:
spectacular sparseness. i love the banjo twang. this is the kind of country folk bit that i can really get into.
Oh, whatta beautiful sweet voice. (And what a lineup on that album.)
spectacular sparseness. i love the banjo twang. this is the kind of country folk bit that i can really get into.
She just played this last weekend at Speedway Meadows in Golden Gate Park at a bluegrass festival. 5 stages 2 days of music FREE! Emmylou was a stand out favorite.
This is a new one on me. Nice Emmylou. I like the sparseness of this.
Shesdifferent wrote:
Why do I have to endure this stuff just to get to the good songs? The song doesn't even have a melody.
I love her voice when she sings like this, this is very nice IMHO...
Why do I have to endure this stuff just to get to the good songs? The song doesn't even have a melody.
WTF? After this set I had to double-check to make sure I hadn't accidentally selected my Twang City bookmark.
Ohhh, Banjo Segue....Nice !!!
kellyeden wrote:
Don't forget to go waaayyyy back, to Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town, Elite Hotel and, especially, Luxury Liner. Emmylou was singing songs written by Rodney Crowell, Townes Van Zandt and Gram Parsons, to name a few. Her Hot Band was just that, with Ricky Skaggs, Crowell and Albert Lee. Don't miss Roses in the Snow for the most beautiful version of "Wayfaring Stranger" you'll ever hear.
These early albums are more "country" but I agree that she had a MONSTER band and plenty of energy on these. I also agree with a previous poster that "Wrecking Ball" is a killer CD...and not so "country", if that is an issue.
When Emmylou sings "just might bite you" I stand up and take notice!
My comment was in reponse to the question about Emmy's best album. Lots of good comments in response to this question. However, I'd like to suggest something that isn't an ELH album, but an epiphany anyway: check out Graham Parson's Grievous Angel. Around 1973, I'd heard the Parson's album was great, but I didn't know it was also going to introduce me to someone (ELH) who would still be a compelling artist 30 years later.
Clever transition. But the crappy Dylan song still sucked!
Beautiful. Emmylou Harris and Patty Griffin rank among my RP must-explore "discoveries".
Miles wrote:
Can anyone recommend their favorite ELH album and describe it? Thanks.
I'll respect any answer to this question, but I have to go with Red Dirt Girl. God, her voice is even sexier on that album than it is in this song.
Damn - I thought this was The Eagle's Journey of the Sourcerer when I heard the intro.
Miles wrote:
Can anyone recommend their favorite ELH album and describe it? Thanks.
If I had to pick just one, I'd go with Cowgirl's Prayer. It's production is a little sparer than her recent work, just a few instruments, some tasteful backup, and that voice. If you want to try something of hers you probably haven't heard try her Christmas album Light of the Stable. Nothing terribly novel there of course, except for the title song (it was new to me anyways). She has backed up nearly everybody, so sometimes it feels like I hear her everywhere...hey Bill! Here's a theme for you: a string of songs with Emmylou on backup. It might surprise a few people with how well she gets around.
Townes Van Zandt is probably the best poet/musician in the history of music!!! If anyone liked this version I recommend listening to Townes, he is simply wonderful!!!
Favorite ELH? Damn, that's tough! Old, new. Live, studio. It's all good. For some good old stuff, check out "Live at the Ryman". There are some great live covers, such as Steve Earle's "Guitar Town", Nanci Griffith's "It's a Hard Life Wherever You Go", and John Fogerty's "(Stuck Here in) Lodi". The disc has a bit of a bluegrassy feel to it with covers of some really good Bill Monroe tunes. For an electrified feel, I'd go with "Spyboy". There's an absolutely wicked live version of "Deeper Well". Talk about a tune with a seriously tribal feel! The disc was recorded when they were working on "Wrecking Ball", so it gives a good alternate perspective to the finely crafted work of "Wrecking Ball". ...And just to prove she's still got it, you should listen to "Stumble into Grace". This time she went with all her own material (with help on some from the likes of the McGarrigle sisters), and almost all the songs hit me in some way or another. As far as the Mrs. Robinson thing goes, ay yi yi. Just have a look at the photo of her on the front of "Stumbling into Grace"!
GolfRomeo wrote:
my Mrs. Robinson. Growl.
Emmylou or Townes Van Zandt?
my Mrs. Robinson. Growl.
Emmylou is so good at what she does. She is truly an icon.
Miles wrote:
Can anyone recommend their favorite ELH album and describe it? Thanks.
Don't forget to go waaayyyy back, to Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town, Elite Hotel and, especially, Luxury Liner. Emmylou was singing songs written by Rodney Crowell, Townes Van Zandt and Gram Parsons, to name a few. Her Hot Band was just that, with Ricky Skaggs, Crowell and Albert Lee. Don't miss Roses in the Snow for the most beautiful version of "Wayfaring Stranger" you'll ever hear.
Miles wrote:
Can anyone recommend their favorite ELH album and describe it? Thanks.
I love Red Dirt Girl . It has many songs on it whose lyrics are captivating. Among the songs on there that are brilliant are "The Pearl," "Michaelangelo," "Red Dirt Girl," and "My Baby Needs A Shepherd." I have used "The Pearl" in teaching my honors English class as a perfect example of double meaning and Biblical allusion. It is worth looking into if you think Emmylou Harris is for you.
Miles wrote:
Can anyone recommend their favorite ELH album and describe it? Thanks.
"Wrecking Ball" - I believe her first collaboration with Daniel Lanois. Traditional Americana writing and vocals combined with Lanois' trademark ambient textures and unconventional instrumentation.
the subtle yodelling sound that i hear at the beginning of each high-pitched line does not do anything for me.
Can anyone recommend their favorite ELH album and describe it? Thanks.
grizzly_anderson wrote:
the opening riff (can you call it that on a banjo?) made me think it was Journey of the Sourcerer until I heard Emmylou's voice...
I heard that as well!
the opening riff (can you call it that on a banjo?) made me think it was Journey of the Sourcerer until I heard Emmylou\'s voice...
Nice. Do you think Greg Brown heard this before he wrote "Lull It By"?
Originally Posted by Patti_M.: Any song w/a banjo in it, perks up my ears! Good song. pbm 8^)
Agreed! (pimp)