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 that went by the name of Maggie May.

Chorus:
Oh, Maggie, Maggie May, they've taken you away,
And you'll never walk down Lime Street anymore
For she robbed so many a sailor, and skinned so many whalers
And now she's doing time in Botany Bay

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 me, being a sailor, I gave chase.

Chorus:
Oh, Maggie, Maggie May, they've taken you away,
And you'll never walk down Lime Street anymor
For she robbed so many a sailor, and skinned so many whalers,
And now she's doing time in Botany Bay

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."

Chorus:
Oh, Maggie, Maggie May, they've taken you away,
And you'll never walk down Lime Street anymore
For she robbed so many a sailor, and skinned so many whalers,
And now she's doing time in Botany Bay

Oh, you thieving Maggie May, you robbed me of my pay,
When I slept with you last night while ashore,
And the judge he guilty found her of robbing a homeward-bounder,
And she'll never roam down Lime Street any more.

Chorus:
Oh, Maggie, Maggie May, they've taken you away,
And you'll never walk down Lime Street anymore
For she robbed so many a sailor, and skinned so many whalers,
And now she's doing time in Botany Bay