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Mar. 12, 2005 “Die Morität von Mackie Messer”, or simply “Mackie Messer”, is called “Mack the Knife” in English. This is an original German song, with music by Kurt Weill and lyrics by Bertolt Brecht. The song is part of “Der Dreigroschenoper” or “Three-Penny Opera”, which appeared in 1928. I have known this song since the 1970’s. I think that I may have gotten the words from a version sung by Lotte Lenya or Martha Schlamme. There were several versions in English, including one really ridiculous one by Louis Armstrong, which came out in 1954. But I like to learn foreign songs in the original languages. I have copied the German words from the URL listed next below, which includes a couple of stanzas that I didn’t know about before now. I have provided my own translation, but I am sure various translations of such a famous song can be found online. The music can also be heard at this URL: http://ingeb.org/Lieder/mackieme.mid MACK THE KNIFE (Original version). Und der Haifisch, der hat Zähne Und die trägt er im Gesicht Und MacHeath, der hat ein Messer Doch das Messer sieht man nicht. Ach, es sind des Haifischs Flossen Rot, wenn dieser Blut vergießt! Mackie Messer trägt 'n Handschuh Drauf man keine Untat liest. An der Themse grünem Wasser Fallen plötzlich Leute um! Es ist weder Pest noch Cholera Doch es heißt: MacHeath geht um. An 'nem schönen blauen Sonntag Liegt ein toter Mann am Strand Und ein Mensch geht um die Ecke Den man Mackie Messer nannt. Und Schmul Meier bleibt verschwunden Und so mancher reiche Mann Und sein Geld hat Mackie Messer Dem man nichts beweisen kann. Jenny Fowler ward gefunden Mit 'nem Messer in der Brust Und am Kai geht Mackie Messer Der von allem nichts gewußt. Wo ist Alfons Glite, der Fuhrherr? Kommt das je ans Sonnenlicht? Wer es immer wissen könnte Mackie Messer weiß es nicht. Und das große Feuer in Soho Sieben Kinder und ein Greis In der Menge Mackie Messer, den Man nicht fragt und der nichts weiß. Und die minderjährige Witwe Deren Namen jeder weiß Wachte auf und war geschändet Mackie, welches war dein Preis? Und die Fische, sie verschwinden, Doch zum Kummer des Gerichts Man zitiert am End den Haifisch, Doch der Haifisch weiß von nichts Und er kann sich nicht erinnern Und man kann nicht an ihn ran, Denn ein Haifisch ist kein Haifisch Wenn man nicht beweisen kann. MACK THE KNIFE (Translation) And the shark, he’s got teeth And he has them right in sight, And MacHeath, he’s got a knife, Though no one sees the knife. Oh, the shark’s fins are Red, when he sheds blood. Mack the Knife wears a glove. Therein no one reads a crime. Into the Thames’ green water Many people fall suddenly. It is neither plague nor cholera. But they name it: Mack is going around. On a beautiful blue Sunday Lies a dead man on the beach. And a person goes around the corner Whom they call Mack the Knife. And Schmul Meyer still is missing, And such a great, rich man, And Mack the Knife has his money. No one can prove anything on him. Jenny Fowler was found With a knife in her breast, And on the waterfront goes Mack the Knife, Who knows nothing about anything. Where is Alfons Glite, the chauffeur? Does it come to the light of day? Who could ever have known? Mack doesn’t know. And the big fire in Soho— Seven children and an old man. In the crowd is Mack the Knife, Whom no one questions and who knows nothing. And the under-age widow, Whose name everyone knows, Woke up and was raped. Mack, what was your price? And fish, they disappear But to the sorrow of being eaten. Someone appoints an end to the shark, But the shark knows nothing of it. And he can’t remember himself And no one can recognize him. For a shark is not a shark When no one cam prove anything. ------------ About the author Thomas Keyes: I have written two books: A SOJOURN IN ASIA (non-fiction) and A TALE OF UNG (fiction), neither published so far. I have studied languages for years and traveled extensively on five continents. Email: udikeyes@yahoo.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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