Mack the Knife
Mysterious Shadows and Sinister Smiles: Unraveling Mack the Knife's Dark Tale
Lyrics
Oh, the shark, babe has such teeth, dear
Referring to the dangerous, cunning nature of Mack the Knife, using a metaphor of a shark with sharp teeth.
And it shows them pearly white
Highlighting the menacing appearance of Mack, emphasizing his white, sharp teeth.
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
Describing Mack's weapon, a jackknife, and associating it with the character MacHeath.
And he keeps it, ah, out of sight
Indicating that Mack keeps his weapon hidden or discreet.
You know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe
Describing the aftermath of Mack's attack, with scarlet billows symbolizing blood.
Scarlet billows start to spread
Referring to the vivid, red aftermath when Mack the Knife attacks.
But fancy gloves though wears old MacHeath, babe
Mentioning that Mack wears fancy gloves to avoid leaving any trace of blood.
So there's never, never a trace of red, darling
Emphasizing Mack's skill in avoiding any evidence of his crimes.
Let the thing swing
Encouraging the swinging or lively atmosphere.
On the sidewalk, huh, huh, who Sunday morning, uh huh
Describing a crime scene on a Sunday morning with a body on the sidewalk.
Lies a body just oozin' life, eek
Expressing the grimness of a lifeless body oozing life.
And someone's sneakin' 'round the corner
Hinting at someone lurking around the corner, possibly Mack the Knife.
Tell me, could that someone be 'Mack The Knife'?
Pondering if the mysterious figure is Mack the Knife.
There's a tugboat, huh, huh, down by the river don't you know?
Describing a location by the river with a cement bag, suggesting criminal activity.
Where a cement bag's just a hangin' on down
Highlighting the suspicious presence of a cement bag.
Oh, that cement is there strictly for the weight, dear
Suggesting that the cement is there to hide or dispose of something heavy, like a body.
Five'll get you ten old Macky's back in town
Speculating that Mack the Knife is back in town.
Did you hear 'bout Louie Miller? He done disappeared, dear
Referring to Louie Miller's mysterious disappearance after withdrawing a large sum of money.
After drawin' out, feels good, all his hard earned cash
Suggesting that MackHeath is spending money recklessly like a sailor.
And now MacHeath spends just like a sailor
Raising the question of whether Mack has done something impulsive or reckless.
Could it be our boy's done something rash?
Encouraging action or movement in response to a situation.
Come on, come on
(No specific information in this line)
Jenny Diver, ho, ho, ho, Sukey Tawdry
Mentioning female characters possibly associated with Mack the Knife.
Hello Miss Lotte Lenya, good evening, Lucy Brown
(No specific information in this line)
Oh, the line forms way on the right, babe
Describing a line forming, possibly in anticipation of Mack's return.
And now that Macky's back in olderly town
Confirming that Mack is back in town, leading to a line forming.
I said, "Jenny Diver, look out, Sukey Tawdry
Warning Jenny Diver and others to be cautious of Mack the Knife's return.
Stay back, Lotte Lenya, move it over Lucy Brown
(No specific information in this line)
Oh the line forms way beyond the right, babe
Reiterating the warning about Mack's return and the forming line.
And now that Macky's back in town"
Confirming that Mack the Knife is indeed back in town.
Look out, old Macky is back!
A final warning or announcement that Mack is back.
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