It was first published as a song in 1866. The lyrics tell of
the tragic love story of Maggie Clarke and George Johnson who,
in the early 1860s, courted in Canada near Hamilton Ontario.
They were married in 1864, but Maggie died less than a year
later. Her husband immortalized their short life together in
a poem which he published in a book of verse entitled 'Maple
Leaves'. A young Englishman by the name of James Butterfield
was so touched by the poem that he set it to music. Traces of
the old mill can still be seen at Albions Falls near Hamilton.
When You and I Were Young, Maggie
Music by James Butterfield
Lyrics by George Johnson
Learn the story behind the song
I wandered today to the hill, Maggie
To watch the scene below
The creek and the rusty old mill, Maggie
Where we sat in the long, long ago.
The green grove is gone from the hill, Maggie
Where first the daisies sprung
The old rusty mill is still, Maggie
Since you and I were young.
A city so silent and lone, Maggie
Where the young and the gay and the best
In polished white mansion 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 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.
And now we are aged and grey, Maggie
The trials of life nearly done
Let us sing of the days that are gone, Maggie
When you and I were young.