Uploaded May 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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My arrangment of Maggie Jane as sung by Florrie Forde (1876–1940).It was written hy Maurice Scott and Fred Godfrey and I heard it on an Imperial 78 recoreded in March 1931.

It's a pretty slight song but has a chorus that's as infectious as coronavirus.

But here's a question - what's it about? Is Maggie pretending to be going out on the razzle? Or is she actually going out on the pull but not very good at it?

Let me know what you think in the comments.


In the boarding house that’s kept by Missus Payne
There lives little Maggie Jane
She’s so shy, she’s so good
Never had a kiss
She came home late the other night
The boarders shouted this...

Maggie Jane
You’ve been at it again
Maggie Jane
You’ve been at it again
Down in the town the other morning
You took the gypsy’s warning
Maggie Jane
Courting isn’t your game
What were you doing in lover’s lane?
You try to tell us that you’d kissed yourself goodnight
Maggie Jane you’ve been at it again!

All the boarders cry to little Maggie Jane
Tell us, what’s the heroes name?
Did he hug, did he squeeze?
Kiss you I suppose?
He’s greedy cos he’s even kissed
The powder off your nose!