Mack the Knife

"Mack the Knife", sometimes referred to as "The Ballad of Mack the Knife", is a song first recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1956. It was written by Bertolt Brecht.

Frank Sinatra first recorded this jazz legacy in his 1984 album L.A. Is My Lady (album)L.A. Is My Lady. This version was later released as one of Sinatra's last singles. He later recorded the song with Jimmy Buffett in 1994 for Duets II. A live performance of "Mack the Knife" can be found on Sinatra Saga as well.

Releases

 * Live performances
 * Live at the Meadowlands (2009)

Lyrics
Oh, the shark has pretty teeth dear And he shows 'em, pearly white Just a jack knife has Macheath dear And he keeps it way out of sight

When that shark bites with his teeth, dear Scarlet billows they begin to spread Fancy white gloves has Macheath dear So there's never, never a trace of red

On the sidewalk, one Sunday morning Lies a body, oozin' life Someone's sneaking 'round the corner Could that someone perhaps, per chance be Mack the Knife

From a tugboat, on the river going slow A cement bag is dropping down You know that cement is for the weight dear You can make a large bet Macheath's in town

My man Louis Miller, he split the scene babe After drawing out all the bread from his stash Now Macheath spends like a sailor Do you suppose this guy, he did something rash

Old Satchmo, Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darrin They did this song nice, Lady Ella too They all sang it, with so much feeling That Old Blue Eyes, he ain't gonna add nothing new

But with this big, fat band, jumping behind me Swinging hard, Jack, I know I can't lose When I tell you, all about Mack the Knife babe It's an offer, you can never refuse

We got Patrick Williams, Bill Miller playing that piano And this wonderful, great big band, bringing up the rear All these bad cats, in this band now They make the greatest sounds, you're ever gonna hear

Oh Sookie Taudry, Jenny Diver, Polly Peachum, Old Miss Lulu Brown

Hey the line forms, on the right dear Now that Macheath,that bum is back in town You'd better lock your doors, and call the law Because Macheath's back in town