Maggie Mae

This song, Maggie Mae, has its roots in the streets of Liverpool, telling the story of a woman who deceives a newly arrived sailor. It is said that the original lyrics mention real places in the city, such as Lime Street, which gives it a very authentic feel. It is one of those travelling melodies, popular among seafarers, and which even had a widely heard skiffle version from the late 1950s. Its story is so rich that Lionel Bart was inspired by it for a musical in London for two years, set in the docks of Liverpool.

The version we know from The Beatles, arranged by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, was included on the album Let It Be in 1970. In it, we hear the story from the perspective of a sailor who, after collecting his pay, meets Maggie. She takes him to her home, but upon waking, he discovers she has stolen everything from him, even his clothes. The police find her guilty and she is sentenced to be sent to Botany Bay. It is interesting to note how they refer to old currency, with "Two pounds ten" (two pounds and ten shillings). There are records suggesting the song might have even older origins, dating back to 1830, and that it might even have been related to an American song from 1856 called Darling Nellie Gray, sharing a similar melody.