Joseph Paul - "Rattlesnake" (original song live and solo)

http://www.josephpaul.org

Written about life's many twists and turns, using the metaphor of a beautiful but also deadly animal...

One day you may return
To a home that you find
Is no longer yours
And though it bites so deep
There is something sweet there
It's like you've always known

That if we stay in one place we are like the young viper
That never did shed its skin
But just died in its first spring

Like a rattlesnake
Like a rattlesnake
Like a rattlesnake
Life strikes the heal
Lays there in wait
Like a rattlesnake

Dust storms on the trail ahead

See how quickly it comes
Winding through the tall grass
Where you laugh and cry
Striking just when you fret
Over something petty that the bite makes you forget

And as your friends stand around trying hard to revive you
You're looking into their eyes finally seeing what you've missed

But then it's too late
Like a rattlesnake
Like a rattlesnake
Can you suck out the venom?
Like a rattlesnake
Lays there in wait

And you know that you almost want to give in
To the venom coursing so warm and swift
Into sleep you will drift

One day you may return
To where it almost bit you
Fangs on the trail
And so you stand there pondering it
When it barely missed you
And your life went on

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• joseph paul
• rattlesnake
• original song
• singer songwriter
• hollow body electric guitar

[robby63]

There is something about the way you sing this line, "Dust storms on the trail ahead", right before the bridge that is ever so compelling. That 's just the right lyric to sing before the second half of the song.

Great seeing you plugged in too.

Robby:)

ps..cool that we're watching each others videos at the same time!!

[JosephPaul2]

Thanks Robby! Yeah the song is basically about having perfect hindsight, but being blind about the future. The second verse basically uses the metaphor of being bitten suddenly by a snake to talk about life's fragility, and the third verse talks about almost getting bitten but watching what could've been a disaster evade you. I suppose this is a real challenge for we humans, to deal with the uncertainty surrounding life, and to hold on to what's precious despite such uncertainty.

[xchorba10]

I like this Joe! The last verse it my favorite... life does go on, despite the what if question.. you're life is still going on; ponder it all you want.

Good job. :)

[loctia1]

i found you through robby63. Wonderful music. i love your metaphor; life is certainly precious yet fragile, moment, by moment.

cheers, hunter 5 stars