Crawling Kingsnake – English Lyrics

• By: The Black Keys
• Album: Delta Kream

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw, soulful sounds of The Black Keys' 'Crawling Kingsnake,' a powerful rendition of a classic blues standard. This track, a highlight from their 'Delta Kream' album, offers an authentic gateway to the rich tradition of Mississippi Hill Country blues. Experience how two modern rock artists breathe new life into timeless American music, providing a perfect opportunity to explore the genre's distinct rhythms, evocative lyrics, and emotional depth.

[English]

(Ready?)

(Yeah)

...

Well, I'm a crawling kingsnake, babe

Crawl up on your door

Crawl up to your window, babe

Crawl up on your floor

I do anything I want to, babe

Crawl up on your door

Crawling kingsnake

And I'm going

...

Yeah, I'ma crawl up to your window, babe

Crawl up to your door

See anything I want to, babe

Crawl up on your door

Feel me coming in

Crawl up on your door, yeah

Crawling kingsnake

And I wanna

...

Well, my mama caught me crawlin'

Where those girls don't know

I wasn't very big then

And I wanna crawl some more

Do you love me, mom?

Crawl up to your door

Only thing you wanted, babe

Crawl up to your floor

Crawling kingsnake

And I wanna

...

Crawling kingsnake, babe

Crawl up on your door

Do anything I want to

Crawl up on your door

Catch me crawling in

Do you want some more?

Know I want you

Crawl up on your door

Crawling kingsnake

And I wanna

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
crawl /krɔːl/ A2	verb - to move forward on the hands and knees or belly
crawling /ˈkrɔːlɪŋ/ B1	adjective - moving on hands and knees; low to the ground
kingsnake /ˈkɪŋˌsneɪk/ C1	noun - a non‑venomous North American snake of the genus *Lampropeltis*
babe /beɪb/ B1	noun - a term of endearment for a loved one, often a romantic partner
door /dɔːr/ A1	noun - a movable barrier that allows entry into or exit from a place
window /ˈwɪn.doʊ/ A1	noun - an opening in a wall or roof that lets in light and air
floor /flɔːr/ A1	noun - the lower surface of a room on which one walks
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to desire or wish for something
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to feel deep affection for someone or something
big /bɪɡ/ A1	adjective - large in size, amount, or extent
more /mɔːr/ A1	adjective - in a greater amount or degree
catch /kætʃ/ B1	verb - to seize or capture something that is moving
know /noʊ/ A1	verb - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information
thing /θɪŋ/ A1	noun - an object, fact, or matter
girl /ɡɜːrl/ A1	noun - a female child or young woman
mama /ˈmɑː.mə/ A2	noun - informal term for mother
caught /kɔːt/ B1	verb - past tense of catch; seized or captured
going /ˈɡoʊ.ɪŋ/ B2	verb - present participle of go; moving towards a place

Key Grammar Structures

• Well, I'm a crawling kingsnake, babe

  ➔ Simple Present (to be)

  ➔ The verb "am" is the present form of "be" used with the subject "I".

• I do anything I want to, babe

  ➔ Simple Present + infinitive clause

  ➔ The main verb "do" is in the present simple, followed by the infinitive clause "I want to".

• Yeah, I'ma crawl up to your window, babe

  ➔ Be going to (future intention) – informal contraction

  ➔ The speaker uses the informal contraction "I'ma" for "I am going to", expressing a future intention.

• Do you love me, mom?

  ➔ Do‑support in yes‑no questions

  ➔ The auxiliary verb "do" is added before the subject "you" to form a yes‑no question.

• I wasn't very big then

  ➔ Simple Past Negative

  ➔ "Wasn't" is the contracted negative form of "was not", the past simple of "be".

• Only thing you wanted, babe

  ➔ Reduced relative clause (zero relative pronoun)

  ➔ The clause "you wanted" lacks the relative pronoun "that" ("the only thing that you wanted").

• Crawl up on your door

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The base verb "Crawl" is used without a subject to give a command or suggestion.

• And I'm going

  ➔ Present Continuous (be + -ing)

  ➔ "I'm" is the contraction of "I am", followed by the -ing form "going" to indicate an ongoing action or future plan.