Bobby Darin singing
"Mack the Knife" (1970)


By Peter Y. Chou
WisdomPortal.com


"Mack the Knife" Album
by Bobby Darin (1959)

Bobby Darin singing
"Mack the Knife" (1970)

Bobby Darin
(1936-1973)

Preface: For Song #56, I've selected Bobby Darin singing "Mack the Knife" (1970). The song was composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht for their 1928 music drama The Threepenny Opera. Most popular version of the song was by Bobby Darin in 1959, whose recording became a number one hit in the US & UK and earned him two Grammys. This song was prompted by Ann sending me a photo after I told her about "Double-Ten" holiday, celebrating Republic of China's independence. Her photo was taken in China on 10-10-2013, showing a foggy scene with Sun
in the horizon. It conjured up serial killers roaming streets stalking their victims. Wrote the poem
"Mack the Knife" a few days later (10-13-2023). Here is Bobby Darin singing this song. 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 outta sight

You know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe
Scarlet billows start to spread
Fancy gloves, though, wears ol' Macheath, babe
So there's never, never a trace of red

Now, on the side walk, ooh Sunday morning, uh huh
Lies a body just oozing life, eek
And someone's sneaking 'round the corner
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?

There's a tugboat down by the river, don't you know
Where a cement bag's just a-drooping on down
Oh, that cement is just, it's there for the weight, dear
Five'll get ya ten, ol' Mackie's back in town

Now did ya hear 'bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
After drawing 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, Suky Tawdry
Ooh, Miss Lotte Lenya and ol' Lucy Brown
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
Now that Mackie's back in town

I said, Jenny Diver, woah, Suky Tawdry
Look out, Miss Lotte Lenya and ol' Lucy Brown
Yes, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Mackie's back in town

Look out ol' Mackie is back

© Peter Y. Chou
WisdomPortal.com
October 15, 2023


| Top | Every Breath | Sweet Dreams | Rolling Stone | Diamonds | Cabaret | Enchanted Evening | If Ever I Would Leave You | Satisfaction |
| Charade | One Night | Affair to Remember | Vogue | Too Marvelous | Unforgetable | Wake Up Little Susie | Rock Around the Clock |
| Pretty Woman | Easter Parade | Return to Sender | Goodnight Sweetheart | Que Sera Sera | We Are The Champions | Starman |
| Garden Party | Bette Davis Eyes | Edelweiss | Silent Night | Yesterday | Love Letters | You Light Up My Life | Amazing Grace |
| Ol' Man River | Baubles Bangles & Beads | Shall We Dance | I Could Have Danced All Night | Little Merry Christmas |
| White Christmas | Ave Maria | Can't Help Falling in Love | Fortune Teller | Imagine | As Time Goes By | Singin' in the Rain |
| I'm in Heaven | When You Wish Upon a Star | Watermelon Wine | Impossible Dream | The Platters | Over the Rainbow |
| I Left My Heart in San Francisco | When I'm 64 | Give My Regards to Broadway | Cayuga Waters | Moon River | Scarlet Ribbons |
| Favorite Quotes | Haikus 2023 | Poems 2023 | Nature Walks | CPITS | Mercury News | New York Times | Books | A-Z Portal | Home |

© Peter Y. Chou, Wisdom Portal
P.O. Box 390707, Mountain View, CA 94039
email: (10-7-2023)