Lyrics to "Mack the Knife"

Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear
And he shows them pearly white.
Just a jackknife has Macheath, dear
And he keeps it out of sight.
When the shark bites with his teeth, dear
Scarlet billows start to spread.
Fancy gloves, though wears Macheath, dear
So there's not a trace of red.

On the sidewalk Sunday morning
Lies a body oozing life;
Someone's sneaking 'round the corner.
Is the someone MACK THE KNIFE?
From the tugboat by the river
A cement bag's dropping down;
The cement's just for the weight, dear
Bet you Mackie's back in town.

Louie Miller disappeared, dear
After drawing out his cash;
And Macheath spends like a sailor.
Did the boy do something rash?
Sukey Tawdry Jenny Diver
Polly Peachum Lucy Brown
Oh, the line forms on the right, dear
Now that Mackie's back in town.


This was one of Greg's favorite Karaoke tunes. When we would go out to a bar, he would sing a number of other tunes to warm up, but this was always his big finale. Every time I was there to hear him sing, he would get the whole audience up on their feet clapping at the end of the night at this one.

I don't remember exactly where this version of the lyrics came from. I'm pretty sure they were printed on the jacket of an old 45 RPM record he had, but I've misplaced it since his death.


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