Mack The Knife
Horn Shirley Lyrics

Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
The person being referred to has an intimidating presence that strikes fear in others, often when they show their pearly whites like a shark.

And it shows them pearly white
The imposing figure has a flashy and dazzling appearance that can be seen from afar.

Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
The person known as MacHeath carries a dangerous and lethal weapon with him at all times, a small and easy to conceal jackknife.

And he keeps it, ah, out of sight
MacHeath is strategic in hiding his weapon, likely to use it when he needs it the most, and to avoid suspicion from others.

Ya know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe
MacHeath can be just as deadly as a shark when he attacks, striking his victims with precision using his jackknife.

Scarlet billows start to spread
Blood often flows after MacHeath has attacked someone, leaving behind a bloody mess and a trail of evidence.

Fancy gloves, oh, wears old MacHeath, babe
MacHeath knows the importance of leaving no trace behind, hence he wears gloves that complement his outfit but are also useful in avoiding leaving fingerprints at the crime scene.

So there's never, never a trace of red
MacHeath is meticulous and careful to avoid leaving any trace, not just of blood, but anything that could lead investigators to him.

Now on the sidewalk, huh, huh, whoo sunny morning, un huh
The following events take place on a bright and cheerful morning on a busy street.

Lies a body just oozin' life, eek
Someone has been killed on the sidewalk, and their life is ebbing away slowly, causing fear and horror to those who are present.

And someone's sneakin' 'round the corner
Someone seems to be lurking in the shadows, and it is unclear whether or not they are responsible for the recent crime.

Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
MacHeath is a known criminal, and people immediately suspect him of having something to do with the recent murder.

There's a tugboat, huh, huh, down by the river dontcha know
The next set of events take place by the river, with people carrying out their daily chores.

Where a cement bag's just a'drooppin' on down
A cement bag is being dropped into the river; it seems like a regular activity, but its purpose remains unknown.

Oh, that cement is just, it's there for the weight, dear
The cement is there for the sole purpose of weighing something down, possibly a body or a weapon involved in criminal activity.

Five'll get ya ten old Macky's back in town
The return of MacHeath is inevitable, and some people are willing to bet money on it.

Now d'ja hear 'bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
There's news about Louie Miller, who has gone missing under suspect circumstances, and some people believe that MacHeath is responsible for his disappearance.

After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
Before Louie Miller went missing, he withdrew a substantial amount of money from his bank account, indicating the possibility of foul play or blackmail.

And now MacHeath spends just like a sailor
MacHeath has been spending money extravagantly, contrary to his regular spending behavior, indicating that he might have something to do with Louie's disappearance.

Could it be our boy's done somethin' rash?
People are starting to question if MacHeath has done something reckless or impulsive, like causing harm or even killing Louie, making them believe that he might be losing his edge and control.

Now Jenny Diver, ho, ho, yeah, Sukey Tawdry
The names of other women, who are possibly accomplices or involved with MacHeath, are being mentioned.

Ooh, Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
More women associated with MacHeath that have a reputation for being involved in illegal activities are being mentioned.

Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
People are lining up to be associated or in business with MacHeath because he has returned to town, and his criminal reputation precedes him.

Now that Macky's back in town
The central idea of the song is that MacHeath is back, and his return is causing excitement, fear and attraction all at once.

Look out, old Macky's back!!
This line repeats the main idea of the song, warning people that MacHeath is back, and they should be careful and on high alert.