What is the name of the girl in the song Rocky Raccoon?

May 24, 2005 2:58 PM

I am looking for the name of the girl in the song Rocky Raccoon by the Beatles (the one that called herself Lil and that everyone knew as Nancy). Lyric sites vary between Magil, Magill, and McGill, but I do not want to rely on the number of search results as the answer. Is there a definitive source for her real name?
posted by hindmost to Media & Arts (6 answers total)

Best answer: Magill. Here's some backstory on the song.
posted by waxpancake at 3:12 PM on May 24, 2005

Just listened to the vinyl copy I have and it clearly sounds like "Magill", the spelling could be "Magil" however.

Oh, found the original lyric sheet: "Her name was Magill"
posted by brettcar at 3:15 PM on May 24, 2005

". . . and she called herself Lil, but everyone knew her as Nancy."
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:31 PM on May 24, 2005

Magill, McGill, Magil are all the same name. It's irish therefore it comes down to interpretation. All of these spellings are Gaelic.

I know, it's my Grandmother's maiden name, and I live in Ireland. So it really doesn't matter how you say it (or sing it).
posted by Livewire Confusion at 3:36 PM on May 24, 2005

I just talked to a friend of mine who grew up here... he says "it's all depends from where they came from in Ireland. MaGill would be south, McGill would be north, but it's the same name"
posted by Livewire Confusion at 3:40 PM on May 24, 2005

His name was Magoo, and he called himself Lou, but everyone knew him as Clancy.
/spontaneous me
posted by SPrintF at 7:50 PM on May 24, 2005 [1 favorite]