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This is only one example of Harrison's compassion. The "Scruffs" were hippies (mostly female) who hung out at Apple Studios (well, actually Abbey Road), not bothering anybody but handing out flowers, panhandling and just being near the music. Of course, everyone looked down on them, including the other Beatles. Harrison saw them not as bums, but as human beings dedicated to their passion, the Beatles Music. (thanks, Randy - Beaumont, TX)

The "Scruffs" were always hanging around outside the studios. When Harrison finished this late one night, he invited them in to hear it.

When he finished the album, Harrison wrote this note to 3 of his favorite Scruffs: "Dear Carol, Cathy and Lucy. Now it's finished - and off to the factory. I thought I'd tell you that I haven't a clue whether it's good or bad as I've heard it too much now! During the making of this epic album (the most expensive album EMI ever had to pay for) I have felt positive and negative - please and displeased, and all the other opposites expected to be found in this material world. However, the one thing that didn't waver, seems to me, to be 'you three' and Mal., always there as my sole supporters, and even during my worst moments I always felt the encouragement from you was sufficient to make me finish the thing. Thanks a lot, I am really overwhelmed by your apparent undying love, and I don't understand it at all! Love from George (P.S. Don't hold this evidence against me.) P.P.S. Phil Spector loves you too!"

Comments:

To SueJohn.I have a wonderful photo of you wth Ringo I took on the steps of Apple if youm want a copy.Marsha
- marsha, saginaw michigan, MI

My name is Marsha and I spent time on the steps with the Apple Scruffs.I let a Carole bed down in my room at the YMCA in London.Have letters from Emma and had a tour of Apple wthe Hollie who got the job as tea girl.Neil invited us in for tea with him. if you are a scruff and remember me please contact me at wslumka@chartermi.net also trying to contact Pat Miller of london.I tear up every time I hear Apple Scruffs
- marsha, saginaw michigan, MI

It's wonderful to see you on here Sue John, don't you find it amazing how so much rubbish exists regarding the Scruffs. Margo is still very much around and would love to know how you are.How do we get in touch? Let me know what you think Love Gill
- Gill, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Love the Scruffs, Love the Song, Love the Beatles, Love One Another -- after all it was and will alway's be about LOVE when you come down to it or The Beatles
- Albert, Milwaukee, CA

its so george-ish to write a song to the devoted fangirls, unlike the others who in some interviews i've read were pretty condescending towards them. i consider myself an apple scruff, who cares if i wasnt born until thirty five years later...
- chloe, St. Louis, MO

If carole, Jill or indeed any other scruffs are out there, please get in touch. Wouldn't it be great to have a reunion!! Suejohnx
- Sue, U.K, England

Like Sue John & Carol from London, I was an Apple Scruff. I think an awful lot about the Scruffs has been misinterpreted. The other Beatles did not look down upon us, in fact a magazine used to be published by the Scruffs that George, John & Ringo used to have copies of. I would urge people to try to see were reality began & fantasy ended with Carol Bedford's book, sadly she upset quite a few people including George. Apple Scruffs was played to us about 6am one Sunday morning by George himself, Mal came out onto the steps at Abbey Road & took us into studio 3 to hear it. Believe it or not I ended up working at Abbey Road, which was a fantastic experience.
- Gill, Birmingham, United Kingdom

having read waiting for the beatles (a applescruffs story)it is the only book that gives a true account about the scuffs and beatles at that time.thanks Sue john and carole for your comments l only wish l could have been there. hari krishna
- jan, west midlands, United Kingdom

What an uplifting song, I do think! ^_^
- Ethan, Helsinki

What a lot of rubbish has been written! I came upon this by chance, the nearest to the truth was from carole in london. George was great as were the rest of them. I know about the Applescruffs because I was one!! Suejohnx
- Sue, U.K, England

I just finished reading "Waiting for the Beatles" by Carol Bedford, who was one of the Apple Scruffs. It's a really good read, I highly recommend it. It'll certainly give insight into who and what the Scruffs were and what their relationship to the Beatles was. They weren't hippies in the usual sense (not everyone in the 60s was a hippy). They were the world's most dedicated fans and would "wait out" for hours at a time just to get a glimpse of the Beatles, say hell, give them gifts, etc. The Beatles cheating on their partners, yeah, I believe that, but that's not what the Apple Scruffs were about, and it's not what the song is about. They even produced their own magazine! I haven't been able to find any books by anyone named John Calloun, so I can't comment on whatever's written in any book he may have written, but going on the words of one Apple Scruff and comments I've read elsewhere by other members of the collective, they weren't groupies in the usual sexual sense.
- bonni, Melbourne, Australia

George did in fact have a massive orgy with these girls. Just read John Callouns book.
- Kyle, midwest city, OK

The Apple Scruffs weren't hippies and they weren't trying to get into bed with The Beatles. They were teenaged girls who were very devoted fans. They'd sit outside the studio and Paul McCartney's home and just wait to say hello or get a glimpse. George was moved by their devotion and adoration, and felt that their love helped him to complete "All Things Must Pass".
- bonni, Melbourne, Australia

This is a great song, how I love it, how I love it... By the way, no, he did not cheat on Pattie with all Scruffs he met at this time! There was only a certain Maralyn, but it's not like he did not care that he had been married... you can read about this time in any book, e.g. All Things Must Pass can tell you (hopefully) correctly what things happened during this period in Geroge1s life. :)
- Dóra, Debrecen, Hungary

Idk if George cheated on his wife. But Danny makes a good point. In the end George was divorece to Pattie so she could marry Eric Clapton one of George's best friends.
- Krissy, Boston, MA

This is a great song
- Johnny, Los Angeles, CA

Carole, even if he wasn't promiscuous with this particular group of women (I have no idea about that), you shouldn't even have the faintest thought in your mind that the Beatles didn't all cheat on their respective wives and girlfriends. They did. A lot. This was especially true in their early touring years when they were just like any other rock stars, with groupies and that whole scence.
- Danny, Upstate, NY

the apple scruffs were not hippies they were young girls who loved the beatles! they didnt look down on us because they always spoke to us and we made friends with some of the staff in apple. all the stuff about george cheating on his wife is not true!
- carole, london, England

How do you know he had it off with the Scruffs?
- Calum, Edinburgh, Scotland

Ahem...the part that is not so moving is the fact that Harrison cheated on his wife with the Scruffs. While I greatly respect the Beatles as musicians, and Harrison is my favourite Beatle, I don't see why this song is considered a display of *compassion*, rather than lust.
- Har, Toronto, Canada

It's so George to treat the fans like people and invite them in. He was great.
- Loretta, Liverpool, England

I first heard this song in 1983 when I was 12 yrs old. I had to go out and buy a harmonica just so I could learn how to play this song.
- Chet, Greenfield Center, NY

A book was produced by a member of Apple Scruffs. It is/was in most NZ interemdiate school libraries, and the account of the Scruffs' devotion to The Beatles is at times moving, confirming Harrison's compassion.
- phil, Rotorua, New Zealand