This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has MacHeath, dear
And it keeps it way out of sight
When that shark bites with his teeth, dear
Scarlet billows begin to spread
Fancy gloves, though, wears our MacHeath, babe
So there's never, never, ever a trace of red
On the sidewalk, one Sunday mornin'
Lies a body oozin' life
Someone's sneakin' round that corner
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
Oh, there's a tugboat down
It's down by the river, don't you know
Where the cement bag's droopin' on down
Ooh, that cement is just
It's there for the weight, dear
Five'll get ya ten old Macky's back in town
Ya hear 'bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
Now MacHeath spends, he spends like a sailor
Could that boy have done somethin' rash?
Ah, Jenny Diver, look out Sukey Tawdry
Oh, Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Oh, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Mack he's, Mack he's back in town
Ah, Jenny Diver, Sukey Tawdry
Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
Now that Mack, he's back in town
I said look out old Macky is back
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has MacHeath, dear
And it keeps it way out of sight
When that shark bites with his teeth, dear
Scarlet billows begin to spread
Fancy gloves, though, wears our MacHeath, babe
So there's never, never, ever a trace of red
On the sidewalk, one Sunday mornin'
Lies a body oozin' life
Someone's sneakin' round that corner
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
Oh, there's a tugboat down
It's down by the river, don't you know
Where the cement bag's droopin' on down
Ooh, that cement is just
It's there for the weight, dear
Five'll get ya ten old Macky's back in town
Ya hear 'bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
Now MacHeath spends, he spends like a sailor
Could that boy have done somethin' rash?
Ah, Jenny Diver, look out Sukey Tawdry
Oh, Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Oh, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Mack he's, Mack he's back in town
Ah, Jenny Diver, Sukey Tawdry
Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
Now that Mack, he's back in town
I said look out old Macky is back
Lyrics submitted by TheLoveBelow19
Mack the Knife Lyrics as written by Bertolt Brecht Kurt Weill
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ACUM Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song carries such a wonderful mood. One of those who are played on these fancy parties. Though the lyrics are a little alarming :) All in all, a great song, I can't help but put it on repeat every time I hear it :))