Mack The Knife
Frank Sinatra · Duets II
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has Mac Heath, 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 Mac Heath, dear
So thereÂ’s never, never a trace of red
On the sidewalk, one Sunday morning,
Lies a body, oozing' life,
Someone’s sneaking', ‘round that corner
Could that someone perhaps per chance be Mack the Knife?
From the tugboat, on a river going slow
A cement bagÂ’s dropping down
You know, that cement is for the weight, dear
You can make a large bet that bums in town
(Yeah heÂ’s in town)
My man Louie Miller
he split the scene babe,
After drawing' out all the bread from his stash
Now Mac Heath spends like a sailor
Do you suppose this guy he did something rash?
OldÂ’ Satchsmoke, Louie Armstrong, Bobby Daron
They did this song nice, Lady Ella too
They all sang it, with so much feeling
That old blue eyes here ainÂ’t gonna add anything new
(oh yes you do)
But with this big, fat, band jumping behind me
Swinging hard Jack (ThatÂ’s Jimmy)
I know I cant loose, When I tell you
All about Mack the Knife, babe
ItÂ’s an offer you can never refuse
WeÂ’ve got Patrick William,
Bill Miller playinÂ’ that piano
And this wonderful, great, big, band
bringinÂ’ up the rear
all these bad cats, in this bad town
they make the greatest sound you ever gonna here
Oh Sukey Tawdry, (Oh Sukey Tawdry)
Jenny Diver, (Jenny Diver)
Polly Peaches (I know her well) Ms Lulu Brown
Yeah, the line forms on the right, dear
Now that Mack he
(Oh Mack he)
Yeah that bum is back
(Oh that bum heÂ’s back)
And IÂ’m gonna tell you
what I think that you should know
(What should I do)
You better lock your door
And call the law
Because Mack he
heÂ’s come back to town
Get under the bed hide
(Look out old Mack is back)
About Mack The Knife
Frank Sinatra's rendition of "Mack the Knife" on the *Duets II* album stands as a testament to his enduring mastery of the jazz-pop crossover style. Recorded in the late 1980s, this track showcases his signature smooth vocal delivery and impeccable phrasing, capturing the song's origins in the 1950s while infusing it with his mature artistry. The recording exemplifies Sinatra's ability to reinterpret classic material, blending the upbeat swing of the original with the sophisticated elegance characteristic of his later career. As a staple of the Great American Songbook, the song remains a defining piece of his discography, reflecting his status as a cultural icon who bridged generations of musical audiences. This version serves as a poignant reminder of his versatility and the timeless appeal of his interpretations.