A 38-second ad-lib recorded between takes of ‘Two Of Us’, ‘Maggie Mae’ was taped during the Let It Be album sessions.
A traditional Liverpool folk song about a prostitute who robbed a sailor, ‘Maggie May’ (as it is more commonly known) is believed to date from the early 19th century.
The Beatles’ recording took place on 24 January 1969 at their Apple Studios at 3 Savile Row, London. It is the second shortest song in the group’s official catalogue; the briefest being the same year’s ‘Her Majesty’.
John Lennon made a home recording of ‘Maggie Mae’, featuring just himself on acoustic guitar and vocals, in 1979. It can be heard on the John Lennon Anthology box set, released in 1998.
Lyrics
Oh dirty Maggie Mae
They have taken her away
And she never walk down Lime Street any more
Oh the judge he guilty found her
For robbing a homeward bounder
That dirty no good robbing Maggie Mae
‘Tis the port of Liverpool
They returned me to
Two pounds ten a week, that was my pay
They should have released the medley with fancy my chances with you on let it be, i think it’s a better maggie mae recording plus the funny fancy my chances with you suitable to the back to basics thing (as it’s a pre-fame song)
It seems to me, that it would be appropriate to mention, that Harrison’s part is, in fact, functionally the bas-guitar’s part (inspite the fact, that he plays the electric guitar). The fact is obvious for everybody, who studied the basics of musical theory and possesses the ear to hear :).
P.S. Thanks a lot for your site. I’ve used it much writing the articles about Beatles’ songs for the russian wikipedia (of course, with a lot of references).
“‘Tis the PORT of Liverpool…” if you’re hearing “part” that’s just Lennon’s exaggerated Scouse vocal. The traditional song is about sailors on shore leave finding long denied entertainment.
Not sure about the next line either… it’s… something… can’t decide… “…turned/turns me tool” again fitting with the returning sailor making use of ladies of the night.
It sounds like “where she turned me tool”
I.ts, “THEY RETURNED ME TO.”
I’ve always HEARD “dirtied there me tool.” Seems to fit.
I always thought it was “the day I take your hand away”.
I always thought the lyric was “that no good, rotten lovin’ Maggie Mae.” That’s a very Lennony lyric and I think I like it better that way.
Seems the Beatles Bible has forgotten the version on Let It Be… Naked, Fly On The Wall. It is shorter than the official release because it only features the first verse before it segues into Fancy My Chances. However, it is notable in that it only features John and Paul on acoustic guitars, both John and Paul share the vocals, and it is at a much faster tempo.
I think the short version is excellent ! I absolutely love it. For 48 yrs. now.
Has anyone else noticed the similarity between this piece(both the music and lyrics) and “Darlin’ Nellie Gray,” a 19th century folk song about an Indian(Native American)girl sold into slavery? There MUST be a connection but I so far haven’t found any cross references
I’ve always heard “the port of liver pill”!
I’ve always loved this recording. Yes, it’s short but that is it’s charm. J & P’s vocals are great and the abrupt, stumbling ending is humorous, which is just so Beatles.
Just gotta say: I love your name. 🙂
Not to mention that he’s a very clean old man!
And a King Mixer!
In the 2017 film “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” Paul has a cameo as Johnny Depp’s Uncle Jack. He is introduced singing this song in a prison cell.