The Snake in full: Read Donald Trump's anti immigration poem
President Donald Trump has dipped into his greatest hits during a speech at a conservative CPAC forum, reciting song lyrics that were a recurring feature of his campaign trail repertoire.
Entitled “the Snake,” the Al Wilson song serves as a cautionary tale about the danger of immigrants for Mr Trump. It features a woman who foolishly embraces a dangerous predator.
“Think of it in terms of immigration,” Mr Trump told his audience.
During the presidential campaign, Mr Trump prefaced reading the lyrics by talking about the perils of accepting Syrian refugees. He called during his run for a ban on Muslim immigration, and while in office he has repeatedly sought to block immigration from Muslim-majority nations.
Since assuming the presidency Mr Trump has constantly warned that a porous border is allowing criminals and drugs to flow into America, bolstering his case for a border wall. He has had similar criticisms for America’s legal immigration process, saying mechanisms like a diversity visa lottery and refugee admissions offer a route into America for terrorists and other people who endanger public safety. He also read “the Snake” during an event marking his first 100 days in office.
Here are the lyrics in full:
On her way to work one morning
Down the path alongside the lake
A tender-hearted woman saw a poor half-frozen snake
His pretty colored skin had been all frosted with the dew
“Oh well,” she cried, “I'll take you in and I'll take care of you”
“Take me in oh tender woman
Take me in, for heaven's sake
Take me in oh tender woman,” sighed the snake
She wrapped him up all cozy in a curvature of silk
And then laid him by the fireside with some honey and some milk
Now she hurried home from work that night as soon as she arrived
She found that pretty snake she'd taken in had been revived
“Take me in, oh tender woman
Take me in, for heaven's sake
Take me in oh tender woman,” sighed the snake
Now she clutched him to her bosom, “You're so beautiful,” she cried
“But if I hadn't brought you in by now you might have died”
Now she stroked his pretty skin and then she kissed and held him tight
But instead of saying thanks, that snake gave her a vicious bite
“Take me in, oh tender woman
Take me in, for heaven's sake
Take me in oh tender woman,” sighed the snake
“I saved you,” cried that woman
“And you've bit me even, why?
You know your bite is poisonous and now I'm going to die”
“Oh shut up, silly woman,” said the reptile with a grin
“You knew damn well I was a snake before you took me in
”Take me in, oh tender woman
Take me in, for heaven's sake
Take me in oh tender woman,“ sighed the snake
