Mack The Knife
Mack The Knife: Unveiling the Dark Allure of MacHeath's World
Lyrics
Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
Describing a dangerous person ("shark") with sharp, white teeth.
And it shows them pearly white
Highlighting the visible, pearly white teeth of the shark.
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
Introducing "Mack the Knife" and his concealed weapon, a jackknife.
And he keeps it, ah, out of sight
Emphasizing that Mack keeps his knife hidden.
You know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe
Describing the consequences when the shark attacks.
Scarlet billows start to spread
Depicting the aftermath with vivid imagery of spreading scarlet billows (blood).
Fancy gloves, oh, wears old MacHeath, babe
Noting Mack's elegance, wearing fancy gloves.
So there's never, never a trace of red
Stating that there is no visible blood trace due to Mack's careful actions.
Now on the sidewalk, huh, huh, whoo sunny morning, un huh
Setting the scene on a sunny morning with a body on the sidewalk.
Lies a body just oozin' life, eek
Describing the life-draining scene of a body oozing life.
And someone's sneakin' 'round the corner
Suggesting someone sneaking around, questioning if it's Mack the Knife.
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
Pondering the identity of the person sneaking around.
There's a tugboat, huh, huh, down by the river don'tcha know
Introducing a location by the river where suspicious activities occur.
Where a cement bag's just a-drooppin' on down
Describing a cement bag dropping down the river, hinting at nefarious deeds.
Oh, that cement is just, it's there for the weight, dear
Explaining the purpose of the cement bag as a weight for submerging evidence.
Five'll get ya ten, old Macky's back in town
Suggesting Mack's return to town with a bet on his reappearance.
Now did ya hear 'bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
Telling the story of Louie Miller disappearing after withdrawing money.
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
Highlighting Mack's extravagant spending like a sailor after Louie's disappearance.
And now MacHeath spends just like a sailor
Raising the question of Mack's involvement in Louie's disappearance.
Could it be our boy's done somethin' rash?
Speculating on Mack's impulsive actions.
Now Jenny Diver, ho, ho, yeah, Sukey Tawdry
Listing female characters associated with Mack.
Ooh, Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Connecting these women to Mack's return to town.
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
Indicating a line forming on the right, possibly referring to people gathering due to Mack's return.
Now that Macky's back in town
Reiterating that the line forms due to Mack's presence in town.
I said Jenny Diver, whoa, Sukey Tawdry
Repeating the mention of female characters and their association with Mack.
Look out to Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Reiterating the connection between these women and Mack's return.
Yes, that line forms on the right, babe
Repeating the idea of a line forming, emphasizing Mack's impact on the town.
Now that Macky's back in town
Reiterating the reason for the line forming, underscoring Mack's significance.
Look out, old Macky's back
Warning about Mack's return and its potential consequences.
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