Little Maggie
Bessie Lee Mauldin Lyrics
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With a dram glass in her hands
She's drinking away her troubles
She's a courtin' some other man
Oh how can I ever stand it
Just to see them two blue eyes
A shinin in the moonlight
Last time a saw little Maggie
She was standin' on the banks of the sea
With a forty-four strapped around her
And a banjo on her knee
Lay down your last gold dollar
Lay down your gold watch and chain
Little Maggie's gonna dance for daddy
Listen to that old banjo ring
Pretty flowers were made for blooming
Pretty stars were made to shine
Pretty girls were made for lovin'
Little Maggie was made for mine
The song "Little Maggie" by Bessie Lee Mauldin is a traditional bluegrass song that describes the story of a woman named Maggie who is drinking and courting another man. The singer of the song is heartbroken and finds it difficult to see Maggie with another man. He is fascinated by her shining blue eyes in the moonlight and remembers the last time he saw her near the sea with a gun and a banjo.
The singer is urging Maggie's lover to lay down his gold watch and chain and enjoy her dancing while listening to the banjo. The song then ends with the claim that pretty girls were made for loving, and in the singer's mind, little Maggie was made for him.
The lyrics of the song symbolize love, heartbreak, betrayal, and possession of a woman in a patriarchal society. The lyrics present the idea that men could possess and control women's bodies, but the singer asserts his claim towards Maggie. The song is a traditional bluegrass tune that has developed over generations and has been covered by singers like Bob Dylan, Tony Rice, and Ricky Skaggs.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yonder stands little Maggie
Little Maggie is standing in the distance
With a dram glass in her hands
She is holding a glass of whiskey in her hands
She's drinking away her troubles
Maggie is drinking to forget her problems
She's a courtin' some other man
Maggie is pursuing another man
Oh how can I ever stand it
It's difficult for me to witness this
Just to see them two blue eyes
Maggie's blue eyes are strikingly beautiful
A shinin in the moonlight
They are reflecting the moon's light
Like two diamonds in the sky
Her eyes shine like diamonds in the night sky
Last time a saw little Maggie
The last time I saw Maggie
She was standin' on the banks of the sea
She was standing by the ocean
With a forty-four strapped around her
She had a gun with her
And a banjo on her knee
She was carrying a banjo
Lay down your last gold dollar
Give up your last dollar
Lay down your gold watch and chain
Give up your watch and chain
Little Maggie's gonna dance for daddy
Maggie is going to perform a dance for her father
Listen to that old banjo ring
The sound of the banjo is enjoyable
Pretty flowers were made for blooming
Flowers are beautiful when they bloom
Pretty stars were made to shine
Stars are meant to shine brilliantly
Pretty girls were made for lovin'
Girls were made to be loved
Little Maggie was made for mine
Maggie was meant to belong to me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILL MONROE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bluegrass Country Radio
I can listen to this song over and over!! Awesome music wish they still played this kind of music!!
snailspace
Even though I haven't listened to everything on your channel (yet), a general rule seems to be, "If you upload it, I like it." As always, many, many thanks for the opportunity to hear albums I had previously only heard *about*, but had never been able to hear.
Bluegrass Country Radio
💕 love bluegrass, thank you
jamsforyams
Smokin!
John Prewett
Mighty Fine !