A demo tape of the song was recorded in August 1967 under the title “She Is Beautiful” with a similar arrangement and melody but very different lyrics.
[Verse 1]
Dark nights, planets are set
Creator prepares for the dawn of man
You're waking up, the day of incarnation
Said you're waking up to life
[Refrain]
Images he made to love
Images of gods in flesh
Man is wonderful, very wonderful
Look at him, beware the future
[Chorus]
Here is my world and it's waiting for me
Paradise before my eyes
I am alive in a new born world
This heaven will always be mine
I'm waking up, the day of man has come
I'm waking up, the day of man has come
[Verse 2]
And God created man from dust
With a soul inside his mould
And God created womankind
The vessel of Satan's hold
[Refrain]
Creator made the serpent wise
Evil in his tempting eyes
Man is wonderful, very wonderful
Look at him, beware the future
[Chorus]
Here is my world and it's waiting for me
Paradise before my eyes
I am alive in a new born world
This heaven will always be mine
I'm waking up, the day of man has come
I'm waking up, the day of man has come
[Verse 1]
Dark nights, planets are set
Creator prepares for the dawn of man
You're waking up, the day of incarnation
Said you're waking up to life
[Verse 3]
Here I stand a child in a lonely world, oh no
Watch the serpent tempting me to evil
The guiding hand will help me on
Guiding hand will help me on
[Outro]
The guiding hand will help me on
Guiding hand will help me on
The Serpent was written by Mike Rutherford & Anthony Phillips & Peter Gabriel & Tony Banks.
The Serpent was produced by Jonathan King.
Genesis released The Serpent on Fri Mar 07 1969.