Maggie May

Maggie Mae or Maggie May is a Liverpool folk song about one of the many "ladies of negotiable virtue" who frequented the docklands of that town, seeking clients, particularly sailors. The title character supplemented her income by robbing her clients.

A short fragment of this song is heard on the Let It Be album. This is said to be a callback to the Beatles' previous existence as the Quarrymen, when they would sometimes perform this song.

This song is unrelated to, and is not to be confused with, the Rod Stewart song of the same name.

Lyrics
As this is a folk song, there are many different versions of the lyrics; but the one which was performed by Liverpool folk group The Spinners on their "Final Fling" tour, and claimed by them to be the definitive version, is below

(Verse 1)
Now gather round you sailor boys, and listen to my plea And when you've heard my tale, pity me For I was a ruddy fool in the port of Liverpool The first time that I come home from sea

I was paid off at the home from the port of Sierra Leone Four pounds in a month it was me pay With a pocket full of tin I was very soon took in By a girl with the name of Maggie May

(Chorus)
Oh Maggie, Maggie May they have taken her away And she'll never walk down Lime street anymore For she robbed too many sailors and captains of the whalers That dirty, robbin' no good Maggie May

(Verse 2)
Oh, well do I remember when I first met Maggie May Cruising up and down Canning Place With a figure so divine, like a frigate of the line Acting like a sailor, I gave chase

In the morning I awoke, flat, stony broke No jacket, trousers, waistcoat could I find When I asked her where they were she said "My very good sir, They're down in Kelly's pawnshop number nine"

(Verse 3)
To the pawnshop I did go but no clothes could I find So the scupper came and took that girl away<br/ > The judge he guilty found her, of robbing a homeward–bounder<br/ > And paid her passage out to Botany Bay

(Chorus)
(optionally repeated)

Credits

 * John Lennon - lead vocals, guitar (1964 Framus Hooternanny)
 * Paul McCartney - lead vocals, guitar (1964 Epiphone Texan)
 * George Harrison - bass (1968 Fender Bass VI)
 * Ringo Starr - drums