[Dixielandjazz] Re: Dixielandjazz Digest, Vol 12, Issue 18 = Mack the Knife

[Harold Smith]

To the best of my knowledge, Mack the Knife is the English version of
Mackie Messer in a song from Die Dreigoschen Oper (Threepenny Opera by
Kurt Weill and Bertold Brelcht), and is based on the play's character,
MacHeath.  

The oriiginal song from the Opera is called Moritat.  Dick Hyman had a
hit with it in the mid=1950's in an instrumental version.

Don't really know who started it on its way as a swing tune, but I
rather suspect it was Louis Armstrong, followed a few years later by
Bobby Darrin.

In its original version, it is a very sardonic and bitter song, sung in
a nasal Berliner dialect.  Quite effective, and sinister.

Regards, Harold Smith