About The Song
Bobby Darin’s rendition of “Mack the Knife” was recorded in 1958 and released in 1959, it became the No. 1 song on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it one of the most popular songs of its time. Darin’s live performance of the song in 1970 on “The Andy Williams Show” is widely regarded as one of the best filmed versions. The lyrics describe the cunning and dangerous character, Macheath, also known as Mack the Knife. Darin’s rendition reached No. 1 in 1959, solidifying its place in music history.
The song originates from the German play “The Threepenny Opera,” written by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht in 1928. It portrays the character Mackie Messer, a notorious criminal in 19th-century London who charms ladies and evades capture by authorities.
Lyrics
Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
And he shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has old Macheath, babe
And he keeps it out of sight
You know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe
Scarlet billows start to spread
Fancy gloves, though, wears old Macheath, babe
So there's never, never a trace of red
Now on the sidewalk, ooh, sunny morning, uh-huh
Lies a body just oozin' life
Eek, and someone's sneakin' 'round the corner
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
There's a tugboat down by the river, don't ya know
Where a cement bag's just a-droopin' on down
Oh, that cement is just, it's there for the weight, dear
Five'll get ya ten, old Macky's back in town
Now d'ya hear about Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
And now Macheath spends just like a sailor
Could it be our boy's done something rash?
Now Jenny Diver, ho, ho, yeah, Sukey Tawdry
Ooh, Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
Now that Macky's back in town
I said Jenny Diver, whoa, Sukey Tawdry
Look out to Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Yes, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Macky's back in town
Look out ol' Macky's back
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