I can't say definitively what I think this song is about, a full personal interpretation still eludes me. But I disagree with the notion that the entire song is some sort of euphemism.
I definitely feel like the metaphor for the snake is that there is a lack of trust, they are often symbolized as something untrustworthy and dangerous. Perhaps he feels that way about himself? He's a 'snake in the grass', as though there's a hidden danger about him that he can't trust his love with. He /wants/ to love this other person, yea. I feel almost to the point of obsession. But he feels like he is a danger, too. He feels as though he doesn't deserve it. He is 'bad, bred to suffer'. And that reality is driving him mad.
I can't say definitively what I think this song is about, a full personal interpretation still eludes me. But I disagree with the notion that the entire song is some sort of euphemism. I definitely feel like the metaphor for the snake is that there is a lack of trust, they are often symbolized as something untrustworthy and dangerous. Perhaps he feels that way about himself? He's a 'snake in the grass', as though there's a hidden danger about him that he can't trust his love with. He /wants/ to love this other person, yea. I feel almost to the point of obsession. But he feels like he is a danger, too. He feels as though he doesn't deserve it. He is 'bad, bred to suffer'. And that reality is driving him mad.