The Threepenny Election

(An Opera in One Scene to the Airs of The

Beggar's Opera)

Mr Edward Macheath, Leader of the Blueboy Highwaymen, known as Mac the Smile Mr Harold Opshun, Leader of the Red Receivers, known as Harold the Twist Mr Jerry Liblabatory, Leader of the Yellow bellies, known as Jerry the Merge

First Floater Second Floater Third Floater

Scene: A Westminster Tavern

Mac the Smile Harold the Twist

Jerry the Merge

(In Unison. To the Air of: Thro' all the, employments of life') In all the elections there's strife; Each leader abuses the other.

The worst innuendoes are rife; Kind feelings we all try.to smother.

The Tory calls Socialists red; And the Socialists Tories abuse.

The Liberal's weak in the head, • And is bound, say the others, to lose.

Harold the Twist (Solo Aria. To the Air of: 'Let

us take the Road')

Let us take the Road.

Hark! I hear the sound of voters; Let us go and catch the floaters; Their votes they must unload.

We must fight hard, men!

Jim and Roy in the van I'm placing, In the midst I'll be both ways facing, Far to the left is Benn.

Mac the Smile (Solo Aria. To the Air of; 'I'm like a skiff on the ocean tos't')

I'm like a yacht on the ocean tos't, Now high, now low, with each poll that's held. I fear I have some electors lost; My high hopes may, at a stroke, be quelled. While thus I lie rolling and tossing in bed, In Number Ten Harold is sitting instead. Revenge! Revenge! Revenge! shall appease my aching head.

Jerry the Merge (Solo Aria. To the Air

'Were I laid on Greenland's coast') Were I placed in Number Ten I would get a mighty shock For as PM I would then Have to work right round the clock.

I would rather steal away, Hover o'er the coast and play, With my countess fondly stray Over the hills and far away.

Mac the Smile (Solo Aria. To the Air of: 'If the life of a man is depressed with cares') If the life of a man is depressed with cares, The mist is dispelled when a voter appears, With a cross on the paper, he sweetly,

sweetly, Raises our spirits, and calms our fears. If he is wearing a gay primrose, And his vote 'TORY" he does disclose, Address him, caress him,

On voting, be doting,

And see that he's given a drink when he goes.

Harold the Twist (Solo Aria. To the Air of:

'Before the Barn-door crowing') Upon the hustings strutting By brothers well attended, I make remarks so cutting, 'Gainst persons undefended.

With some I single from the crowd