Anyone familiar with the 'boa constrictor' song?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I remember seeing this performed on some variety show back in the early 1970s. It’s a song about someone being swallowed by a boa constrictor.

The lyrics, as best I remember, go something like:
*O, hail the victor,
A boa constrictor.
Aw gee,
It’s up to my knee.
Aw heck,
It’s up to my neck.
*

I think there were more lyrics, but that’s all I can remember. For all I know, though, it might have been written just for that program.

2

Here ya go - The Boa Constrictor Song. Its a poem by Shel Silverstein.

3

You can find Peter, Paul and Mary’s version of this song on the album, “Peter, Paul and Mommy.”

Boy, Mary sure has let herself go.

4

Yeah, I remember we had an album with that on it when I was a small child. I can still remember a lot of the words. I don’t know if it was Shel Silverstein, it was a whole album of childrens songs, maybe sang by someone named Whittaker? I don’t know, it’s been over 20 years.

5

The first version I ever heard of Shel Silverstein’s “Boa Constrictor Song” was recorded by the Irish Rovers, who had earlier scored a huge hit with another Shel Silverstein song, “The Unicorn.”

If you do a search for The Irish Rovers on Amazon or Tower Records web sites, you may find the album it was on.

6

It’s on his CD “Where The Sidewalk Ends” which is currently available.

7

My favorite Shel Silverstein song is “Comin’ After Jinny,” which was recorded by Tex Ritter. Great, fun little song.

8

Geez! I remember hearing Johnny Cash singing this song in the '60’s. I think it was even a single on Columbia.

9

I learned:

I’m being swallowed by a Boa Constrictor
A Boa Constrictor
A Boa Constrictor

I’m being swallowed by a Boa Constrictor
And I don’t like it very much.

Oh, no, oh, no,
It swallowed my toe,
It swallowed my toe.

Oh, Gee, Oh gee,
It’s up to my knee,
It’s up to my knee.

Oh fiddle, Oh fiddle,
It’s up to my middle,
It’s up to my middle.

Oh Heck, Oh Heck,
It’s up to my neck,
It’s up to my neck!

Oh Dread, oh dread,
It’s up to my head,
It’s up to my (GULP)

10

sniff

I miss Uncle Shelby

11

My four-year old just learned the version detailed by UncleBill. It’s so cute! :smiley: