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June 09, 2009
Look Out, Old Macky is Back!
I had to sing “Mack the Knife” last weekend when Sheryl and I played the Vero Beach Yacht Club.
It’s a very popular number, and there seems to be a law requiring one to perform it at all Country Club or Yacht Club functions.
Here’s Bobby Darin’s Version:
Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
And he keeps it … ah … out of sight.
Ya know when that shark bites, with his teeth, babe
Scarlet billows start to spread
Fancy gloves, though, wears old MacHeath, babe
So there’s nevah, nevah a trace of red.
Now on the sidewalk … uuh, huh … whoo … sunny mornin’ … uuh, huh
Lies a body just oozin' life … eeek!
And someone’s sneakin' ‘round the corner
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
A-there's a tugboat … huh, huh, huh … down by the river don’tcha know
Where a cement bag’s just a'droopin' on down
Oh, that cement is just, it's there for the weight, dear
Five'll get ya ten old Macky’s back in town.
Now, d'ja hear ‘bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
And now MacHeath spends just like a sailor
Could it be our boy's done somethin' rash?
Now … Jenny Diver … ho, ho … yeah … Sukey Tawdry
ho … Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
Now that Macky’s back in town.
Aah … I said Jenny Diver … whoa … Sukey Tawdry
Look out to Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Yes, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Macky’s back in town …
Look out … old Macky is back!!
I don’t sing it like Bobby; I kind of do the “safe, bland country club version.” The folks enjoy it greatly, and dance a foxtrot when I perform it, but look at those lyrics! It’s a rather gruesome song.
Apparently there are some unused verses that make it even worse: check out this article from this fascinating site: “The Straight Dope.”
Be careful! This site will draw you in, and you may not come out for hours.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Bobby Darin!
Posted by leonolguin at June 9, 2009 11:38 AM