Song Index Songs by Chords Guide to Guitar Chords About
Sneaky Snake Tom T. Hall

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About the Original Song
“Sneaky Snake” is a playful, country-folk song by Tom T. Hall, known for its simple melody and humorous lyrics. The original version has a bouncy, light-hearted feel, making it accessible and enjoyable for beginners to play and sing along with.


Chord Progression & Transitions
The song uses basic open chords: G, G7, C, A, D, and D7. If you are new to guitar, take a moment to practice switching between G and G7, as these transitions appear frequently (especially in the intro and verses). The chord changes are straightforward and follow a repetitive pattern, which helps with memorization and getting comfortable with chord shapes.

Strumming Pattern
A simple country strum works well: try a pattern like “down, down-up, up, down-up” (D, D-U, U, D-U). Alternatively, you can use a basic “down, up, down, up” pattern to maintain a steady rhythm. Keep your strumming relaxed for a fun feel. Accent the first beat of each measure to match the song’s playful bounce.

Tips for Beginners
— Practice G to G7 by only moving your index finger.
— When moving to A or D, lift and place fingers simultaneously.
— For D7, make sure to arch your fingers to let every string ring clearly.
— Sing along to help with timing and to make transitions smoother.

Final Advice
Take it slow at first, and focus on clean chord changes. As you get comfortable, add a slight swing to your strumming to capture the song’s cheerful style.


EADGBE G
EADGBE G7
EADGBE C
EADGBEX A
EADGBEXX D
EADGBEXX D7
Intro
G G G G7 G G
G G G G7 G G
Verse 1
Boys and girls take warning, ifC you go near theG lake
C Keep your eyes wideG open, andA look for SneakyD Snake
NowG maybe you won'tG7 see him, andC maybe you won'tG hear
ButC he'll sneak up beG hind you, and drink all ofD7 your rootG beer
Chorus
And then Sneaky Snake, goesC dancing,G wigglin' and aC hissin'
G Sneaky Snake, goes dancin',A gigglin' and aD kissin'
G I don't like old Sneaky Snake, heC laughs too much youG see
WhenC he goes wigglin'G thru the grass, itD7 tickles his underG neath
Verse 2
Well Sneaky Snake, drinks root beer, andC he just makes meG sick
C When he is notG dancin', heA looks just like aD stick
NowG he doesn't have any arms or legs, youC cannot see hisG ears
AndC while we are notG lookin', he's stealin'D7 all of ourG beer
Chorus
And then Sneaky Snake, goesC dancing,G wigglin' and aC hissin'
G Sneaky Snake, goes dancin',A gigglin' and aD kissin'
G I don't like old Sneaky Snake, heC laughs too much youG see
WhenC he goes wigglin'G thru the grass, itD7 tickles his underG neath
Outro
G D G