Mack the Knife by Louis Armstrong

enjoy!

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, oh, wears old MacHeath, babe
So there's never, never a trace of red

Now on the sidewalk, huh, huh, whoo sunny morning, un huh
Lies a body just oozin' life, eek
And someone's sneakin' 'round the corner
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?

There's a tugboat, huh, huh, down by the river dontcha know
Where a cement bag's just a drooppin' 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 did 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
Ooh, Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
Now that Macky's back in town

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's back!!

[marypalmer]

I have this as my alarm clock in the morning, people say an alarm is always annoying no matter what's playing, but this always makes me smile and makes my morning special when I let it play for a bit longer.

[davidlejenkins]

He always has the biggest smile in the world on his face.

[bigdawg]

I just love listening to Louis Armstrong sing. That raspy deep voice is one of a kind. As soon as you hear the first line of his singing you know who that is.

[johnconnors]

I saw him live in NYC At the Latin Quarter in Manhattan when I was in 7th grade. My Dad loved Trumpet Players He was from the Big Band Era. I was Blown Away. Thanks Dad.

[holton]

Of all the recordings of this tune that Armstrong did, this one is my favorite. I especially love how he passes a solo to himself. "Take it, Satch." Perfect.

[col.cottonhill]

This man is one of my fav childhood musicians. I even took up trumpet lessons

[pikachuchujelly]

Such an upbeat, happy tune about a serial killer.

[langleybryant]

Louis was the best jazz musician ever. Change my mind

[handysalmon]

Thanks for this! What a national treasure that man was. My dad met him.

[musicfreak]

I am crying listening to this song cause I remember my grandfather and I when I was little dancing to this song 💖😢 RIP my beloved grandfather 😢💔❤️🙏

[curtist]

Classic Louis Armstrong. With his unique voice he sings this song with style and class.

[gameon]

This was the 1st record I ever bought - from my saved up allowance, as a kid... still love it to bits - the piano part was especially sweet!

[railfanningstuff]

the McDonald's moon from my childhood brought me here. c'est la vie bravo à que chanter

[tonywilliamsjr]

Louis gives so much emotion to this song it makes you cry. It's funny, serious, sad, mysterious, entertaining, shocking, gory, nostalgic all at the same time....and you can just hear Louis's smile as he delivers it so ebulliently! 😊

[marypalmer]

listening to this has extended my Life by a whole month, I'm pretty sure. I'm gonna listen again.

[johncaldwell-wqhp]

It's 1955, -Sydney Aust, --my Mom &Dad, -where always fighting, -on night at the dinner-table, -they were really into it, -This song came on, -& mom picked up a dinner knife, -& chased poor dad, around & around the table, -singing this song !!-my Dad took off, down the street, --with this song blasting out on the Radio !!-Ha!-Ha-Ha!--This song sure takes me back !! Poor Mom !!

[mbesafoods]

My Sai need father attended Satchmo 's show in Salisbury Rhodesia....now Harare Zimbabwe in 1960. My dad loved jazz. Thank you for posting this song. Love from Zimbabwe 🇿🇼

[magnaviator]

Not surprising that this coincided with America's period of greatness. Just pure musicality. Fantastic!

[weksheddweller]

That ending bit with the blending of horns just made me swoon. Great stuff from Mr. Armstrong! :D

[carltonbanks]

Give Louis a trumpet and he'll create magic.