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Maggie Mae

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MAGGIE MAE Traditional Liverpool Song
[Intro]
D  G  D  A
(repeat as many times as you like!)
[Verse 1]
Now Dgather round me sailor boys and Glisten to me plea, 
DAnd when you hear me tale you’ll piAty me
For I was Da goddamned fool in Gthe port of Liverpool 
DThe first time that AI came home from Dsea 
I Gwas paid off at the Home, from a voyage to DSierra Leone:
Two pounds ten and sixpence Awas me pay.
With a pocDket full of tin I was Gsoon taken in
By a Agirl with the name of Maggie DMay
[Chorus]
Oh, GMaggie Maggie May they have Dtaken her away
And she'll never walk down Lime Street any Amore.
DShe robbed so many sailors and Gcaptains of the whalers
That Ddirty robbing Ano good Maggie DMay
[Verse 2]
GOh well do I remember when DI first met Maggie May,
She was cruising up and down Old Canning APlace,
She'd a Dfigure so divine, like a Gfrigate of the line,
And Ame being a sailor I gave Dchase.
Next Gmorning I awoke, I was Dflat and stoney broke,
No jacket, trousers, waistcoat could I Afind.
When I Dasked her where they were, she Gsaid "Oh my dear sir,
They're Adown in Kelly's, locker number Dnine!"
[Chorus]
Oh, GMaggie Maggie May they have Dtaken her away
And she'll never walk down Lime Street any Amore.
DShe robbed so many sailors and Gcaptains of the whalers
That Ddirty robbing Ano good Maggie DMay
Optional instrumental chorus
[Verse 3]
GTo the pawnshop I did go but no Dclothes there did I find,
And the policeman came and took that girl Aaway,
The Djudge he guilty found her Gof robbing a homeward bounder,
And Apaid her passage back to Botany DBay
[Chorus]
Oh, GMaggie Maggie May they have Dtaken her away
And she'll never walk down Lime Street any Amore.
DShe robbed so many sailors and Gcaptains of the whalers
That Ddirty robbing Ano good Maggie DMay
(repeat chorus to end)

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

"Maggie Mae" is a classic folk song that tells the cautionary tale of a sailor who falls victim to a notorious Liverpool prostitute. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man lured in by Maggie May, only to have his pockets emptied. It's a story of regret and consequences, with the sailor ultimately wishing her a one-way trip to Botany Bay, a penal colony in Australia. At its heart, it's a rollicking sea shanty about lost love, betrayal, and the rough-and-tumble life of a port city.

AI-written from these sources:

Story time

Maggie Mae

Maggie Mae

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Maggie Mae

by Misc Traditional

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

MAGGIE MAE Traditional Liverpool Song

[Intro]

D G D A

(repeat as many times as you like!)

[Verse 1]

D G

Now gather round me sailor boys and listen to me plea,

D A

And when you hear me tale you’ll pity me

D G

For I was a goddamned fool in the port of Liverpool

D A D

The first time that I came home from sea

G D

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

Two pounds ten and sixpence was me pay.

D G

With a pocket full of tin I was soon taken in

A D

By a girl with the name of Maggie May

[Chorus]

G D

Oh, Maggie Maggie May they have taken her away

And she'll never walk down Lime Street any more.

D G

She robbed so many sailors and captains of the whalers

D A D

That dirty robbing no good Maggie May

[Verse 2]

G D

Oh well do I remember when I first met Maggie May,

She was cruising up and down Old Canning Place,

D G

She'd a figure so divine, like a frigate of the line,

A D

And me being a sailor I gave chase.

G D

Next morning I awoke, I was flat and stoney broke,

No jacket, trousers, waistcoat could I find.

D G

When I asked her where they were, she said "Oh my dear sir,

A D

They're down in Kelly's, locker number nine!"

[Chorus]

G D

Oh, Maggie Maggie May they have taken her away

And she'll never walk down Lime Street any more.

D G

She robbed so many sailors and captains of the whalers

D A D

That dirty robbing no good Maggie May

Optional instrumental chorus

[Verse 3]

G D

To the pawnshop I did go but no clothes there did I find,

And the policeman came and took that girl away,

D G

The judge he guilty found her of robbing a homeward bounder,

A D

And paid her passage back to Botany Bay

[Chorus]

G D

Oh, Maggie Maggie May they have taken her away

And she'll never walk down Lime Street any more.

D G

She robbed so many sailors and captains of the whalers

D A D

That dirty robbing no good Maggie May

(repeat chorus to end)

About Maggie Mae Chords by Misc Traditional

Learn how to play Maggie Mae by Misc Traditional with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Maggie Mae chords”, “Maggie Mae guitar chords”, or “Misc Traditional Maggie Mae chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Maggie Mae chords and for experienced players who want accurate Maggie Mae lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, A.

FAQ — Maggie Mae by Misc Traditional

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What key is "Maggie Mae" in?

The chords for "Maggie Mae" show the original chord names (including D, G, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.