The Threepenny Opera (L'Opéra de quat'sous)

Each day your sermons we are fed.

Urging us to forsake crime and sin.

But give us first our daily bread.

Then your moralizing may sink in.

THE THREEPENNY OPERA

You who love out souls and your own bellies.

Should hasten to accept this verity.

Before it's too late to be wise.

Beefsteaks come first, then morality.

No poor man should want for money.

To enjoy his share of milk and honey.

For how does man live?

How does man live? By harming another bloke.

By ill-treating, cheating other ordinary folk.

Man's only choice in this insanity.

Is to forget his own humanity.

So, gentlemen, make no mistake about man's needs.

To live, he must turn to evil deeds.

In dark of night, by pale moonlight.

Pursued by fear, a man takes flight.

A lifeless body lies on the ground.

Death comes without a sound.

The unlucky prey in a cruel rape.

Lies all alone, her mouth agape.

A hapless victim of civil anarchy.

The poor soul dies... There's Mackie!

Burglary makes homes a hopeless mess.

Reducing owners to prostrate distress.

Picking pockets on the sly, Satan's lackey.

Pads softly by... There's Mackie!

The flames they roar, the sparks they fly.

People trapped inside begin to fry.

No help to hand, they simply die.

A laugh floats back... There's Mackie!

The night of terrors has its glut.

Somewhere in the crowd, a throat is cut.

And in the gutter, someone's lost his gut.

The fiend looks back... There's Mackie!

In dark of night, by pale moonlight.

Pursued by fear, a man takes flight.

A lifeless body lies on the ground.

Death comes without a sound.

By pale moonlight A man takes flight.

A lifeless body on the ground. Death comes without a sound.

May I offer you a drink, ladies?

See we're not disturbed.

- Is Mackie here? - You and me, Jenny, what say?

Leave the lady alone.

What's he butting in for?

Look out for your wife's fancy man.

Tell him thanks a lot.

The best dancer in Soho.

Take your places.

A complete bridal outfit.

Brocade.

Captain's orders.

Wedding at ten past two a.m.

Anglo-Indian Company Warehouse Three. Bring a priest.

A complete bridal outfit, brocade.

Furniture, four-poster, carpets. And don't forget: A grandfather clock.

For delivery.

Properly dressed; Don't come in that get-up.

I hope this is his last wedding.

For delivery.

For delivery.

For delivery.

J.M. Brown, Chief of Police, London.

Give us a hand.

About time!

It's unbelievable! Is that all you hate to report, gentlemen?

You're dealing with the Chief of Police!

You let these burglars melt away...

under your very noses?

How am I to maintain law and order during the Coronation?

I warn you, let the slightest thing go wrong...

the slightest thing and I'll...

What is it?

A burglar, caught red-handed.

What's that? You caught a burglar?

He's here?

Bring him to me at once

I'll show you...

how to deal with such riff-raff.

Hat off.

Caught red-handed, eh?

This could mean years behind bars...

because I shall be merciless.

Do you hear me?

Merciless.

Leave me alone with this fellow.

A letter? Impudence!

You may go.

If anyone's there, hands up!

Nobody?

Our wedding can go ahead.

Bill Lawgen and Mary Syer.

To solemn matrimony came.

Only when they signed the register.

Did she learned her husband's name.

"So that's who Mary married", said she.

Do you see the moon over Soho?

Yes, I see it, beloved.

Do you hear my heart beat, darling?

Yes, I hear it, sweetheart.

Where you go, there will I go.

Where you go, there my love will be.

Preachings and solemn rites cannot.

Be deemed essential to the wedding knot.

Nor are orange blossoms to the bridal bed.

Love itself is the finest way to wed.

Enjoy your sweetmeats, no need to wait.

Then throw away the empty plate.

Love makes the most tempting repast.

Delectable, but it doesn't last

Patience, Father, we'll be starting soon.

Everything of the best. Eggs mayonnaise from Selfridge's. Try some?

Attention! Ten past two!

Congratulations, Polly! Congratulations, Captain!

It's just not good enough.

Champagne in wine glasses.

Hideous... hideous!

How lovely! Everything stolen?

Naturally.

A pity we've no home for it all.

- Deplorable! - The police, Captain.

And the grandfather clock? No clock?

My wife is most displeased. Everything's spoiled.

After all, I don't marry every day.

Father...

I'm so glad you could come to bless the happiest day of our lives.

Miss Peachum, who has lovingly consented to share my life.

Father!

Won't you dine with us?

Than kyou, but I must attend to a baptism

I hope we'll soon need you for that, too.

Watch your tongue in a lady's presence!

And where's my clock?

Escort His Reverence

I'm afraid it's not healthy around here.

This way, please; Mind the stairs.

Must you dive in right away?

I'm hungry, Mackie.

Can no one here do anything to entertain us?

Is this to be just another dreary day?

No one on guard? Must I do it myself?

I'll try a song for you, then.

Time was I had my virtue. If you remember, so had you.

Oft had I dreamed the day When first love came my way.

Charm he'd have and wealth.

Fresh linen and good health.

Alas, already I did know.

That my answer must be no.

No, I'd say without repine.

Moon, why do you shine?

Why do you boats dream away?

My heart has no words to say.

It is by far the better part.

Not to try to force the heart.

Love is never ruled by reason.

So till happiness comes to season.

The only way to go Is firmly to say no.

The first to come along Was both gallant and strong.

The second was as rich as Croesus. The third swore love till hell frezzes.

Charm they had and wealth.

Fresh linen and good health.

A little kiss and I'd share their bliss.

But I said no.

No, I said, without repine.

Moon, why do you shine?

Why do you boats dream away?

My heart has no word to say.

It is by far the better part.

Not to try to force the heart.

Love is never ruled by reason.

So till happiness comes to season.

The only way to go Is firmly to say no.

Then one day there came a man, His cause he never pled.

He came to my room, His hat threw on my bed.

Charm he had not or wealth.

No fine linen or good health.

All he could offer me Was a share in misery.

But I didn't say no.

Yes, I simply said, without repine.

Moon, for us go on and shine.

Dance for us you boats with glee.

For now my heart confides in me.

It is by far the better part.

Not to try to force the heart.

For love there is no fitting season.

And the day bliss conquers reason.

Is not one for saying no.

What a lark! A real giggle!

Lark, you idiot?

That's art, that is.

What a load of cretins.

Look out... the Sheriff!

Still appropriating what isn't yours?

Burglary again?

Good of you to remember an old friend.

Not at all. I'm rather pressed for time, though.