A request of a classic from the old Threepenny Opera

Title: Mack the Knife
Composer: Kurt Weill
English words: Marc Blitstein

This is a very popular song from the "The Threepenny Opera", The Beggar's Opera by John Gay starting with its first production back in 1728. The Beggar's Opera is a comic ballad opera, an original concept when it came out, conjuring up the thoughts and ideas of the anti-hero, Robin Hood types, and quotes of the likes of Bob Dylan, such as "Steal a little and they throw you in jail: steal a lot and they make you a king". It was the first musical play produced in colonial New York. George Washington enjoyed it. The original lyrics went through some transformations for the European audience and were cleaned up a bit by Blitstein, which allowed it to gain much more fame. This song was request of one of the employees or volunteers at Mayo Hospital. I hope you enjoy it.

Lyrics:
Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear
And he shows them, a-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, mmm, of red

On the sidewalk, Sunday mornin', baby
Lies a body, oozin' life
Someone sneakin' 'round the corner
Is the someone Mack the Knife?
From a tugboat by the river, baby
A cement bag's drooppin' down
Yeah the cement's just for the weight, dear
Bet you Mack, he's back in town

Lookie here, Louie Miller, disappeared, dear
After drawing out his cash
And MacHeath spends like a sailor
Did our boy do somethin' rash?

Suky Tawdry, Jenny Diver
Lotte Lenya, sweet Lucy Brown
Yes, the line forms on the right, dears
Now that Mackheath's back in town