Snakepreacher

by Frank From Blue Velvet

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about

A heavy roots, harmonica and banjo fueled journey through the life of the SNAKEPREACHER from the East Sussex agit-country collective.

A taste of the bands upcoming debut album. Out 26th October.

Loosely based on the practice rooted in the Appalachia of serpent handling as demonstration of faith. The lyric makes comparisons between a snake preacher who inherits his fathers church and certain business and political leaders enjoying their easy ride through inherited wealth. Lacking any sense of purpose or achievement, the Snakepreacher abuses his status and lives a life bankrupt of morality and despite publicly repenting with crocodile tears just continues through the car crash existence of his own making.

We would like to thank John Hornig for his banjo skills.

lyrics

One day a serpent bit my Pa The middle of a prayer
It was a rainy Sunday at our church And all the town was there

The serpent bit and killed my Pa So I took it straight outside
I smashed it’s devil head in And looked it in the eye

And said I am the snake preacher Now Pa’s church is mine
I am the snake preacher
You snakes better toe the line
Told Ma that I’d joined the lord She looked with doubt in her eyes She seen the darkness in my soul And seen through many lies

Sometimes I like to speak in tongues Sometimes I make shit up
The congregation loves all that They can never get enough

I am the snake preacher Praying and a healing
I am the snake preacher Lying and a stealing

A bad one since the day I’s born Stealing from the collection Spent it all on drink ‘n girls Avoiding police detection

Gambling and fornicating Getting thrown out of strip bars I ran up debts all over town
Til they repossessed my car
I am the snake preacher Philandering and lying’ I am the snake preacher Repenting and a crying’

The lord and me we’ve fallen out So I have to milk the snake
The devil started biting me They can always spot a fake

Some day I’ll meet my maker But before they hail me dead There’s a lot of sin left in me All rattling with my head

I am the snake preacher Praying and a healing
I am the snake preacher Lying and a stealing

I am the snake preacher Penniless and Bitten I’m the snake preacher
My end is not yet written

credits

released August 25, 2022

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about

Frank From Blue Velvet Hastings, UK

A Hastings based band merging big film scores, jangling guitar riffs and dancing swing beats. Songs that paint vivid pictures of corruption, redemption and flawed individuals. Misfits, oddballs and broken toys.

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