As with many old songs, the origins of this one are not fully defined. Springtown, Tenn. claims its George Johnson wrote the lyrics in 1865, although it is pretty certain they originated with George W. Johnson of Ontario, Canada--while overlooking Niagara Falls. J.A. Butterfield wrote the music.
The song was among the "best of the nostalgia songs," according to Douglas Gilbert in his 1942 book_Lost Chords: The Diverting Survey of American Popular Songs__. Even though by our measure today, the late 1930s and early 40s might seem remote and even quaint, from Gilbert's perspective those times were hurried, busy with commerce (and failed commerce), industrialization and of course, preparation for war. He writes that "Maggie," is "thriving today...in a world of terror, its homely sentiment still shining, a mocking reminder of gentler times, kindlier thoughts" (21).
Of course, we cannot forget, as perhaps Gilbert did, that 1865 marked the end of the bloody Civil War. Maybe no times are as serene as they are remembered in later years.
Regardless, "Maggie" was among our most popular songs from the late 1800s and captures simple truths about life, reminiscence, and aging.
lyrics
When You and I Were Young, Maggie
I wandered today to the hill, Maggie
To watch the scene below
The creek and the creaking old mill, Maggie
Where we used to long long ago
The green grove is gone from the hill, Maggie
Where first the daisies sprung
The creaking old mill is still, Maggie
Since you and I were young
Chorus:
And now we are aged and grey, Maggie.
And the trials of life,
nearly done.
Let us sing of the days that are gone, Maggie.
When you and I were young.
A city so silent and lone, Maggie
Where the young and the gay and the best
In polished white mansions of stone, Maggie
Have each found a place of rest
Is built where the birds used to play, Maggie
And join in the songs that were sung
For we sang just as gay as they, Maggie
When you and I were young
They say I am feeble with age, Maggie
My steps are less sprightly than then
My face is a well written page, Maggie
But time, time alone, was the pen
They say we are aged and grey, Maggie
As spray by the white breakers flung
But to me you're as fair as you were, Maggie
When you and I were young
credits
from Songs our grandparents would have known,
released June 4, 2015
Ken guitar and vocal
Engineer/producer: Amy DeVoge
Crossroads Recording Studio, Texas Tech
Ken was born in Baltimore in 1955. He grew up hearing everyone from Johnny Mercer and Ray Charles to the Beatles on the
family hi-fi, with a usual Saturday encore of Wagner's operas. Ken has degrees in English and economics and a background in journalism. He is currently an associate professor of English at Texas Tech, teaching classes in rhetoric....more
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