After appearing in Vaudeville theater with her sisters, Judy was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a teenager. There she made more than two dozen films, including nine with Mickey Rooney, and the film with which she would be most identified, "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). After 15 years, Judy was released from the studio but gained renewed success through record-breaking concert appearances, including a critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall concert, a well-regarded but short-lived television series, and a return to film acting beginning with "A Star Is Born" (1954).
Despite her professional triumphs, Judy battled personal problems throughout her life. Insecure about her appearance, her feelings were compounded by film executives who told her she was unattractive and overweight. Plied with drugs to control her weight and increase her productivity, Garland endured a decades-long struggle with addiction. Garland was plagued by financial instability, often owing hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes, and her first four of five marriages ended in divorce. She attempted suicide on a number of occasions. Garland died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 47, leaving children Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft.
Legacy
Judy Garland's legacy as a performer and a personality has endured long after her death. The American Film Institute named Garland eighth among the "Greatest Female Stars of All Time". She has been the subject of over two dozen biographies since her death, including the well-received "Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir" by her daughter, Lorna Luft. Luft's memoir was later adapted into the multiple award-winning television mini-series, "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows", which won Emmy Awards for two actresses portraying Garland (Tammy Blanchard and Judy Davis).
Garland was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. Several of her recordings have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. These include "Over the Rainbow," which was ranked as the number one movie song of all time in the American Film Institute's "100 Years...100 Songs" list. Four more Garland songs are featured on the list: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (#76), "Get Happy" (#61), "The Trolley Song" (#26), and "The Man That Got Away" (#11).
Judy Garland has twice been honored on U.S. postage stamps, in 1989 (as Dorothy) and again in 2006 (as Vicki Lester from A Star Is Born).
Maggie Maggie May
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The song "Maggie May" by Judy Garland tells the story of a sailor who has fallen victim to the charms of a woman named Maggie May when he first returns home to Liverpool from a voyage to Sierra Leone. Despite being paid off well, he loses all his money to Maggie and wakes up the next day with nothing but a sore head and the knowledge that he has been duped. Maggie is known for robbing and taking advantage of many sailors and whalers, and eventually, she is caught and sent to Van Diemen's land, never to return to Paradise Street in Liverpool. The song tells the story of a sailor's foolishness and the consequences of giving in to temptation.
The lyrics are meant to convey the cautionary tale of the dangers of giving in to vices and the consequences of falling for someone who is fundamentally untrustworthy. The story of Maggie May is one that is well known in Liverpool, and the song gives voice to the sentiment of many sailors who have suffered the same fate.
Line by Line Meaning
Now gather round you sailor boys, and listen to my plea
Attention all sailors, hear my story
And when you've heard my tale you'll pity me
After hearing my story, you'll feel sorry for me
For I was a real damned fool in the port of Liverpool
I was foolish when I arrived in Liverpool
The first time that I came home from the sea
This was my first time returning from the sea
I was paid off at the Home, from a voyage to Sierra Leone
I received my pay in Liverpool after a trip to Sierra Leone
Two pounds ten and sixpence was my pay
I was paid two pounds, ten shillings and sixpence
When I drew the tin I grinned, but I very soon got skinned
I was initially happy with my pay, but was quickly cheated
By a girl by the name of Maggie May
This was due to a woman named Maggie May
Oh, Maggie, Maggie May, they've taken you away
Maggie May has been arrested and punished
They've sent you to Van Diemen's cruel shore
She has been sent to the harsh penal colony in Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania)
For you robbed so many a sailor, and skinned so many a whaler
She stole from and deceived numerous sailors and whalers
And you'll never shine in Paradise Street no more
She will never return to Paradise Street
I shan't forget the day when I first met Maggie May
I vividly remember the day I met Maggie May
She was cruising up and down on Canning Place
She was walking around Canning Place
With a figure so divine, like a frigate of the line
She had an attractive physique, like a warship
So, being a sailor, I gave chase
As a sailor, I pursued her
Next day I woke in bed, with a sore and aching head
The next day, I woke up in bed with a headache and feeling sore
No shoes, or shirt, or trousers could I find
I couldn't find my shoes, shirt, or trousers
I asked her where they were, and she answered, "My dear sir,
When I asked her where they were, she said to me
They're down in Kelly's knock-shop, number nine"
They're in a brothel called Kelly's knock-shop, number nine
Oh, you thieving Maggie May, you robbed me of my pay
Maggie May, you stole my pay
When I slept with you last night ashore
When I slept with you on land last night
And the judge he guilty found her of robbing a homeward-bounder
She was found guilty by the judge of stealing from a sailor returning home
And she'll never roam down Paradise Street no more
She will never return to Paradise Street again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Glen McLaughlin
I love Judy singing the songs from 'Maggie May', especially 'It's Yourself', very emotional and so Judy. Why does Judy laugh during 'Just In Time'? I have wondered about this for years, there is a little noise just before, maybe something fell down or an earing popped off? But the audience laughs too so it must have been something visual? Any body know?
sarakat76
wow bellissima!!! wonderful! Great Judy.... unforgettable! 4 years after his death are still new things! unique Judy!
Joe Guzman aka Joey Josephs
sarakat76 5 years
LizaFan
I am obsessed.
Cheshire Cat
❤❤❤
LieslJones59
Whoever called the terrific voice here "scratchy" obviously has 15 lbs of ear waxin their head!
Chris N
Not scratchy maybe, but a bit coarse. God forbid anyone criticizes the slightest thing about her. That said this is a good example of her exuberance.
M. Marano
Ouch, her voice is so scratchy here. Compare that to the 1940s or even the early 50s. Poor Judy ... her voice was no longer pretty here. She should have listened to the doctors in Hong Kong
Russell Candy
What the hell is wrong with your ears??? Scratchy??? Good God!!!
M. Marano
@Joe Guzman aka Joey Josephs Actually I save lives for a living and I've written books, so yes people do know my name and I am respected in my community. Shame on you for turning this into a personal attack! if I didn't do all these things, would my opinion hold less value? Would I be less of a person? Usually those who are unsuccessful assume everybody else is. What a disgusting comment on your behalf. Judy Garland happens to be one of my favorite singers, BTW. I am allowed to say when she's sounded better.