| Sea Songs | Maggie May |
Maggie May is a fine, uproarious belter of a sea-song of which I learned to sing the chorus whilst in the Royal Navy in the fifties and sixties. I have fond memories of it being sung in 23 Petty Officers Mess, H.M.S. Victorious, in the Fleet canteens of Gibraltar and Singapore and in the small bars in the village of Sembawang outside the Singapore Naval Base.
We often sang Brian Kelly's version of it in the "Idle Fellows". The version I sing myself is to be found in Rugby Songs published by Sphere Books Ltd. The song is about a notorious lady of the streets who robbed poor innocent sailors before finally being apprehended and then deported to Botany Bay.
"Maggie May" has been recorded by:
A.L. Lloyd on "English Drinking Songs" RealAudio 
Various Artists on "Sea Shanties, Vol. 2" RealAudio
The Beatles on "Let it be"
Various Artists on "Odd Shaped Balls"
Various Artists on "Scottish & Irish Sea Songs"
The Spinners on "Best Of-Maggie May"
Various Artists on "Sea Songs & Shanties"