# Mack the Knife lyrics interpretation, please **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 31, 2009, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383 "2009-08-31T18:23:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/21 "2009-09-01T18:30:44Z")
‘ins’ should be ‘im’ there; missed the edit window. ---
**Author:** ![Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abby_Emma_Sasha)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/22 "2009-09-01T18:32:36Z")
> [@panamajack](#): > > ‘Macheath’ is in the original German, in the first stanza. Later on he’s just Mackie. > > Und der Haifisch, der hat Zähne, > und sie trägt er ins Gesicht > und Macheath, der hat ein Messer, > doch das Messer sieht man nicht > The composer sang it [like this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QXJ3OXWaOY). Note he’s deliberately rolling his 'r’s and it’s supposed to be a little droning; the Moritat was a sort of tabloid news-style street performance. I guess you win, since you have non american lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![gang\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f07891/32.png) [@gang\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gang_green)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/23 "2009-09-01T18:41:02Z")
I’d always assumed that “Mackie” was the nickname, “Macheath” was his full first name. Macheath Messer, aka Mackie. But I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/24 "2009-09-01T18:42:14Z")
> [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](#): > > I know the diffeence between standards and stanzas, so I don’t understand what the problem is. I was trrying to show that MacHeath is common in the song. What’s the problem? Then what did you mean here? > [@](#): > > I’m pointing out that MacHeath is mentioned in mny pop standards. What pop standards, other than “Mack the Knife,” are you referring to? ---
**Author:** ![Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abby_Emma_Sasha)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/25 "2009-09-01T19:06:27Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Then what did you mean here? > > What pop standards, other than “Mack the Knife,” are you referring to? What the fuck? Are you people so bent on drumimng me out thaat you’re using a pop song, , taken from a show tune aaand think I don’t know the song? Guess again. ---
**Author:** ![Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abby_Emma_Sasha)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/26 "2009-09-01T19:10:44Z")
And guess whaat? I still likr the Lady GaGa song. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/27 "2009-09-01T19:12:25Z")
> [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](#): > > I know the diffeence between standards and stanzas, so I don’t understand what the problem is. I was trrying to show that MacHeath is common in the song. What’s the problem? Your statement was just confusing and so far it still is. You said MacHeath is mentioned in a lot of standards, which would normally mean he’s mentioned in a lot of _songs_, but it sounds like you mean something different. I don’t know what the something different is, though, and neither did **Eyebrows 0f Doom**. ETA: Standards means “pop songs,” **Abby\_Emma\_Sasha**. Usually it means well known ones. You’re using it to mean something else but nobody knows what you mean. Or what Lady Gaga has to do with this. ---
**Author:** ![Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abby_Emma_Sasha)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/28 "2009-09-01T19:24:59Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Your statement was just confusing and so far it still is. You said MacHeath is mentioned in a lot of standards, which would normally mean he’s mentioned in a lot of _songs_, but it sounds like you mean something different. I don’t know what the something different is, though, and neither did **Eyebrows 0f Doom**. > > ETA: Standards means “pop songs,” **Abby\_Emma\_Sasha**. Usually it means well known ones. You’re using it to mean something else but nobody knows what you mean. Or what Lady Gaga has to do with this. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I know what I mean and I think others do too, unless they want to kiss your ass. I copied a lyric from a song, I have no idea what your problem is. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/29 "2009-09-01T19:26:28Z")
Abby, it’s my OP so I get to chime in. I have no grudges or axes to grind or asses to kiss, but I have no idea what you’re talking about, either. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/30 "2009-09-01T19:31:27Z")
I don’t have a problem with you, **Abby\_Emma\_Sasha** , but I’m trying to understand what you are saying. We’re all agreed the name MacHeath is mentioned multiple times in “Mack the Knife.” I don’t know what you meant when you said the name is mentioned in multiple standards. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/31 "2009-09-01T19:33:40Z")
Traditionally, “classic” popular songs are called _standards_. So it sounds like you were saying he’s mentioned in all classic popular songs. I _think_ you meant he’s mentioned in every version of \*this \*song that you’ve heard. But I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abby_Emma_Sasha)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/32 "2009-09-01T19:35:23Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Abby, it’s my OP so I get to chime in. I have no grudges or axes to grind or asses to kiss, but I have no idea what you’re talking about, either. I have no idea what the other posters have against me, and I hope you can get the OP back on track. ---
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/33 "2009-09-01T19:58:29Z")
Alright, let’s get back on track then. This one time, in band class…I had a brief solo on the timpani that consisted of four measures in which I had to go from \*ppp \*(as soft as possible) to \*fff \*(as loud as possible). Throughout rehearsals I had the toughest time getting the crescendo to time out just right, that is not rushing it or hitting it too slow or any other manner of goofing it up. It’s tough to evenly pace a steady, even increase in volume but I have always felt the studio version of \*\*Bobby Darrin’s \*\* MtK represents the perfect crescendo from beginning to end. Give it a listen [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgykWqMh4V0&feature=channel_page) and I’m sure you’d agree. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/34 "2009-09-01T20:01:38Z")
**Abby\_Emma\_Sasha** , aren’t you that person who didn’t know what the term “cream cheese” meant? You either have a strange grasp of the English language, or are just extremely poor at getting across what it is you think you are saying. And can anyone else please answer what Lady Gaga has to do with this song? Did she do a cover version or something? ---
**Author:** ![Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abby_Emma_Sasha)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/35 "2009-09-01T20:10:11Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > **Abby\_Emma\_Sasha** , aren’t you that person who didn’t know what the term “cream cheese” meant? You either have a strange grasp of the English language, or are just extremely poor at getting across what it is you think you are saying. > And can anyone else please answer what Lady Gaga has to do with this song? Did she do a cover version or something? Creamed cheeese. ---
**Author:** ![Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abby_Emma_Sasha)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/36 "2009-09-01T20:17:42Z")
I guess it’;s too late to edit but Lady GaGa means she’s more intelligent than half the people here. Maybe she might do a cover of _Mack The Knife_. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/37 "2009-09-01T20:20:25Z")
> [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](#): > > Creamed cheeese. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/38 "2009-09-01T20:23:39Z")
> [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](#): > > I guess it’;s too late to edit but Lady GaGa means she’s more intelligent than half the people here. Maybe she might do a cover of _Mack The Knife_. ??? Your posts in this thread border on the surreal. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/39 "2009-09-01T20:25:13Z")
> [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](#): > > I guess it’;s too late to edit but Lady GaGa means she’s more intelligent than half the people here. Maybe she might do a cover of _Mack The Knife_. I give up. **Abby\_Emma\_Sasha** , consider this a formal warning: stop hijacking this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mack-the-knife-lyrics-interpretation-please/508383/40 "2009-09-01T20:34:09Z")
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