From the recording Tree Goats of Morocco
For L and P, and everyone who just can't stop themselves from playing with fire, tempting fate and poking snakes.
Vocal and Piano: Marilyn Rucker
Soprano Sax: Lisa Rucker
Fiddle: Billy Curtis
Bass: Gary Feist
Drums: Masumi Jones
Lyrics
Don’t poke that snake.
Don’t feed that beast.
You think he’s sated
But he’s not begun to feast.
And though you claim
The creature’s tame
When he strikes
You’ll be the only fool we blame.
Gossip, malicious,
Visceral and vicious,
May cause you to react.
But hold to your resolve
Be more highly evolved
Keep still and he might not attack.
Don’t poke that snake.
Don’t feed that beast.
You think he’s sated
But he’s not begun to feast.
And though you claim
The creature’s tame
When he strikes
You’ll be the only fool we blame.
This is not hyperbolic
His venom’s vitriolic
Don’t mistake him for a spider or a leech
He likes to seem harmless
But that’s how he disarms us
Then he’ll take our legs and heads and
Every other bloody piece….
Don’t poke that snake.
Don’t feed that beast.
You think he’s sated
But he’s not begun to feast.
And though you claim
The creature’s tame
When he strikes
You’ll be the only fool we blame.
When he strikes
You’ll be the only fool we blame.