The Snake With Eyes Of Garnet Lyrics And Chords

Written by Shane MacGowan and recorded by The Pogues.


[D]Last night as I lay[G] dreaming
My[D] way across[Bm] the sea     
James[D] Mangan brought me[Bm] comfort 
With[G] laudnum and poi[D]tin
                
He flew me back to Dublin 
In 1819
To a public execution
Being held on Stephen's Green
The young man on the platform       
Held his head up and he did sing
Then he whispered hard into my ear
As he handed me this ring

If you miss me on the harbour
For the boat, it leaves at three
Take this snake with eyes of garnet
My mother gave to me!

This snake cannot be captured
This snake cannot be tied
This snake cannot be tortured, or
Hung or crucified

It came down through the ages
It belongs to you and me
So pass it on and pass it on
'Till all mankind is free

If you miss me on the harbour
For the boat, it leaves at three
Take this snake with eyes of garnet
My mother gave to me" 

He swung, his face went purple
A roar came from the crowd
But Mangan laughed and pushed me
And we got back on the cloud
He dropped me off in London
Back in this dying land
But my eyes were filled with wonder
At the ring still in my hand

If you miss me on the harbour
For the boat, it leaves at three
Take this snake with eyes of garnet
My mother gave to me

The Snake With Eyes Of Garnet about James Mangen, he was a real life Dublin writer who was fond of a drink and a drop of the quare stuff.

​Here's the guitar chords for the key of C.
[C]Last night as I lay[F] dreaming
My[C] way across[Am] the sea     
James[C] Mangan brought me[Am] comfort 
With[F] laudnum and poi[C]tin.

Key of G

[G]Last night as I lay[C] dreaming
My[G] way across[Em] the sea     
James[G] Mangan brought me[Em] comfort 
With[C] laudnum and poi[G]tin