Maggie, Maggie May - Judy Garland

Now gather round you sailor boys, and listen to my plea

And when you’ve heard my tale you’ll pity me

For I was a real damned fool in the port of Liverpool

The first time that I came home from the sea

I was paid off at the Home, from a voyage to Sierra Leone

Two pounds ten and sixpence was my pay

When I drew the tin I grinned, but I very soon got skinned

By a girl by the name of Maggie May

Oh, Maggie, Maggie May, they’ve taken you away

They’ve sent you to Van Diemen’s cruel shore

For you robbed so many a sailor, and skinned so many a whaler

And you’ll never shine in Paradise Street no more

I shan’t forget the day when I first met Maggie May

She was cruising up and down on Canning Place

With a figure so divine, like a frigate of the line

So, being a sailor, I gave chase

Oh, Maggie, Maggie May, they’ve taken you away

They’ve sent you to Van Diemen’s cruel shore

For you robbed so many a sailor, and skinned so many a whaler

And you’ll never shine in Paradise Street no more

Next day I woke in bed, with a sore and aching head

No shoes, or shirt, or trousers could I find

I asked her where they were, and she answered, «My dear sir

They’re down in Kelly’s knock-shop, number nine»

Oh, Maggie, Maggie May, they’ve taken you away

They’ve sent you to Van Diemen’s cruel shore

For you robbed so many a sailor, and skinned so many a whaler

And you’ll never shine in Paradise Street no more

Oh, you thieving Maggie May, you robbed me of my pay

When I slept with you last night ashore

And the judge he guilty found her of robbing a homeward-bounder

And she’ll never roam down Paradise Street no more

Oh, Maggie, Maggie May, they’ve taken you away

They’ve sent you to Van Diemen’s cruel shore

For you robbed so many a sailor, and skinned so many a whaler

And you’ll never shine in Paradise Street no more