When You and I Were Young, Maggie

 by George Washington Johnson and James Austin Butterfield

For this song I drew from Peter Ostroushko's lovely version on his album Duo with Dean Magraw. He took liberties with both the melody and lyrics, and I've taken further liberties in places.

I wandered today to the hill, Maggie

To view the scene below

The creek and the rusty old mill, Maggie

Where we sat so long ago

The green grove is gone from the hill, Maggie

Where first the daisies sprung

And the rusty old mill is still, Maggie

Since you and I were young

They say I am feeble with age, Maggie

My steps are less sprightly than then

And my face is a well-written page, Maggie

And time all alone was the pen

And they say we are aged and gray, Maggie

Like spray from 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 gray, Maggie

Our time here on earth nearly done

Let us sing to the days that were, Maggie

Oh, when you and I were young.