February 9, 2020
Pap and Granny, ca. 1965
As the world gets ready for this week of Valentines Day I started thinking about my favorite love song. I immediately thought of “When You and I Were Young Maggie.”
There’s certainly something to be said for those first days of courting. From the flip-flop your heart does every time your eyes rest on your beloved to the electric energy you feel between the two of you—it’s all heady important stuff.
Yet as one grows older the thought of love takes on a different sort of meaning.
One of my first bosses told me and the other young girls who worked for her “You don’t need a good looking boy with a fancy truck you need a boy who’ll rub your feet at the end of a long tiring day and clean up your puke when you’re sick.” I’m sure she felt the need to share her wisdom with us because as teenage girls often do we talked about the cutest boys in town pretty much all the time.
A quick google search gave me the history of the song. Apparently a lot of folks list the song as a traditional Scottish tune, but that isn’t where the song was born. The song was written by a Canadian, George Washington Johnson.
The Glandbrook Heritage Society website tells the story of the song:
In 1859, George Washington Johnson, recently graduated from the University of Toronto, came to teach at S.S. #5, Glanford. A native of the adjacent community of Binbrook, George, twenty-one, dark and handsome, soon found himself in love with his student, the fair Maggie Clark who was just eighteen.
She reciprocated his affection and the two shared many hours together. Fond of music they would often sing together at the Clark homestead or in the local Glee Club of Glanford; and frequently summer strolls along the maple lined banks of Twenty Mile Creek took them to her father’s mill, a short distance north of the Clark homestead. It was on one these romantic walks that George Johnson was inspired to begin a volume of verses entitled “Maple Leaves” which would contain the poem “When You and I Were Young, Maggie”.
Much in love, the couple became engaged. However, a storm loomed on the horizon. Maggie who had contracted tuberculosis, then known as the “Great White Plague” made both aware of the threat it held for their future.
During one of his finance’s more serious periods of illness, George made a solitary walk to the hill which overlooked the mill. Here in the “green grove – where first the daises sprung”, George Washington Johnson composed the verse that would provide lyrics for the song.
Unfortunately, they would not grow old together. Whether the lyrics were a denial of reality, a touching pretense or an expression of faith in their future, the couple made plans for marriage.
But first there was a period of separation. Maggie went to the Wesleyan College in Hamilton and George to study at the Fort Edward Institute on the Hudson River in New York State. Distance only increased their love and on October 21, 1864 they were married at the Methodist Church in Glanford Township.
George had now settled on a career of journalism with the “Courier” in Buffalo, New York. His ability as a journalist soon became recognized and he was offered a position with the Cleveland, Ohio, “Plain ‘ Dealer”. Once he was secure in his new post, George and his bride took up residence in Cleveland. Then suddenly, the tragedy they had feared struck. Maggie’s tuberculosis failed to respond to medical treatment. She passed away on May 12, 1865, at twenty-three, less than a year after their marriage. She was laid to rest at the family plot in White Church cemetery near Mount Hope. Overwhelmed by his loss, George resigned from the “Plain Dealer” and returned to Canada and to teaching.
The following year, George visited an old friend in Detroit, Michigan, J.C. Butterfield, who at his request, set the words of “When You and I Were Young, Maggie” to music.
When I read the information regarding the song on the Glandbrook Heritage Society website I was surprised to learn the song wasn’t written exactly for the reason I had in my mind. I thought “Well there was no aging couple who’d spent the last 60 years of their lives together.”
But then I reminded myself, songs mean different things to different people. There’s no doubt Johnson wrote the song thinking of his deep love for his Maggie and there’s no doubt the words do fit perfectly for couples who last through the test of time.
The words below are the ones Pap and Paul sung, to see Johnson’s original words go here.
When You and I Were Young, Maggie written by George Washington Johnson
I wandered today to the hill, Maggie,
To survey the scene below,
To see the creek and the creaking old mill, Maggie,
As we used to, long ago.
But the green grass is gone from the hill, Maggie,
Where first the daisies sprung;
And the creaking old mill is still, Maggie,
Since you and I were young.
They say I’m feeble with age, Maggie,
My steps less spry than then,
My face is a well-written page, Maggie,
And time alone was the pen.
But the green grass is gone from the hill, Maggie,
Where first the daisies sprung;
And the creaking old mill is still, Maggie,
Since you and I were young.
They say we are old and grey, Maggie,
Our trials of life nearly done
But to me you’re as fair as you were, Maggie,
When you and I were young.
I suppose part of the reason I like the song so much is because it reminds me of Pap and Granny. They dated a mere three months before embarking on a marriage that would produce three children and last just over 50 years. If Pap had lived this year would mark their 54th year of marriage.
The song also reminds me of a real life Maggie who lived just down the road from here. You can go here to read about her life and discover the reason her name is still called forth in this community all these years later.
February 9, 2020
Five years later “When You and I Were Young Maggie” is still my favorite love song and it still reminds me of Pap and Granny and the great love they had for each other.
Last night’s video: What We Used to Look Like (Old Photos from Appalachia).
Tipper
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I love the video! It made me cry. I know you would give anything to have your Daddy sit and play again. I feel the same about mine❤️
I’ve seen the “the ‘creek’ and the ‘creaking’ old mill”! The old wooden overshot wheel, turned by the weight of water, makes its sounds as it slowly turns. Burnished wood against burnished wood makes an unusual sound, akin to two trees rubbing together in the wind. An eerie sound that, if you can’t identify its source, is startling!
The “creek” and the “creaking” is a brilliant play on words that should be forever imbedded in the lyrics of “Maggie”!
Tipper, you brought a tear to my eye today.
That was one of my Pa’s favorites. He didn’t sing a lot but the ones he sang fitted him and were well practiced and delivered to his babies and grandbabies.
I swear I could hear his voice singing, “I wandered today to the hills, Maggie”
When hubby and I were dating back in the 70’s, we listened to an eight track of Fleetwood Mac all the time. It was our favorite music. Forty-four years later, when I hear a Fkeetwood Mac song on the radio, it takes me back to our teenage years when our love was young and crazy. I married the cute guy who had a very old car—and yes—he rubs my tired shoulders and feet—and he takes care of me when I am sick. Lucky me!!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful but sad love story, the song and all the history behind it!
That was a beautiful song. Thanks for sharing it.
I have learned so many songs from your blog! This one is especially lovely, melodic and with heart stirring lyrics. Again, thank you for treating us with this.
as always I enjoyed todays blog—last nights video was exceptional to me because I love looking at old photos whether I know the people or place or not, and those of you and your family were especially interesting and enjoyable to me. thank you for sharing
Thar was beautiful! If you were blessed to marry the love of your life and you are still together, then you are blessed indeed! Love the picture of Granny and Pap. I know she misses him. Thanks for sharing!
A beautiful song of old brought about by a sad story – and Pap and Granny made a beautiful couple. I liked the lyrics to both versions. My mama & daddy used to tell me as a young girl: “Beauty is skin deep and doesn’t last – look for ‘beauty’ within – that’s what really matters.”
Those beautiful lyrics were made even prettier when Pap and Paul sang them. I have always thought Pledging My Love was the most appropriate love song to play at a wedding reception. It was surely written by someone who was madly in love. My ex-father-in-law called me his Valentine. Not everyone knew that except the family and it raised a lot of eyebrows when I signed Your Valentine on the card attached to the flowers I sent to the funeral home when he passed.
That’s a beautiful song and enjoyed the history you shared. My all time favorite song (not really a love song) is Last Date by Floyd Cramer, love the music. Paul and Pap did a fantastic version of When You and I Were Young Maggie! P.S. Going to can some dried beans!
Thanks for the song and its sad background, Tipper. I remember hearing different words set to that music from Bobby Horton’s huge collection of songs of the Civil War. It was from years after the war, old veterans describing their time together, “Long Ago.” https://genius.com/Bobby-horton-long-ago-lyrics
I grew up without radio or tv and I am not at all musical by nature. Dad’s pickup did not have a radio, or if it did I don’t remember it. Somehow we two never had a favorite love song. When I think of our dating years 1971-73, not a single song comes to mind that is associated with them.
Such a sad but beautiful story behind the song. Maggie experienced a great love in her short life.
Both of the love stories you told are beautiful. Your father and Paul did a wonderful job playing and singing that old tune. It made me very thankful for my wife of 52 years, Barbara.
I think there was many good love songs back in the 50 and 60’s. A few others that I really like were Donna by Ritchie Valens, Surfer Girl by The Beach Boys and I think my favorite of all, I’m Leaving It Up To You by Dale and Grace or Gracie, that one is worth listening to if only for their harmonizing.
Kourtni, if you add the time we dated and were married together, I was with my wife for 49 years. This year will be 4 years since she died. I have been told I need to find another companion, how do you get someone to understand after loving my wife like I did, there can never be anyone else. I fully understand your comment. She was 16 and I was 17 when it all started after a Sunday night church service in January 1972. We married when we were 19 and 20.
I loved the song! I really don’t have a favorite love song there are too many. The song that was popular when my husband and I were dating was ” Waiting for a girl like you” which is “our” song. But the one that brings tears is an Irish song called “Grace”. It is about a man who was about to be executed for being part of the Irish rebellion and marries his sweetheart before he dies. I think it’s a true story but I’m not sure. Love reading people’s stories. BTW, we have been married nearly 39 years.
I love the words to “When You and I Were Young, Maggie” I can relate to them. There was an old mill in the larger town next to ours, it was torn down years ago. The only love song I can think of now that my husband and I liked when we started dating was, “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher in 1965. There are many others, but we remember seeing them for the first time on a local Cleveland, Ohio show and liked the song. We dated three years and married at age 19. We’ve been married 56 years (57 on June 22 if the Lord allows). Our prayers came true about finding a saved person to marry. We both still love the Lord, and we raised our three children to love Him. Also, most of our grandchildren are saved and attend church. The others live in Texas, and we don’t see or hear from them much. I missed being born on Valentine’s Day by 1 1/2 hours, but I usually celebrate both days on my birthday.
Tricia, if you didn’t see my reply to you yesterday and to Kourtni today look back and read them.
That was my Daddy’s favorite too. I so dearly loved his singing, and to this day I occasionally sing the first two verses of that lovely song and think of my sweet, beloved Daddy. He had an old songbook with a slightly different version…
“I wandered today to the hill, Maggie,
to view the scene below…
The creek and the old rusty mill, Maggie,
where we kissed in the long, long ago.
The green grove is gone from the hill, Maggie,
where first the da-ai-ai-sies sprung.
The old rusty mill is still, Maggie,
since you and I were young.”
The first verse in the book ended with “where we stood in the long, long ago”.
I liked Daddy’s wording better.
Red River Valley was in that book too, along with Oh, Danny Boy and My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean and more.
Thank you, Tipper, for this and all your wonderful posts. I read every one and rarely miss any of your YouTube videos. Many thanks, God’s blessings, and much love to you and all your family.
TRUE Love. One of my favorite authors, Homer (Sonny) Hickam, has a saying, “True things have a shining glory.” Well, your family shines and I’m very thankful for your sharing so personally of yourselves. It’s a GREAT witness of LIVING.
I always enjoy your stories and my family especially enjoys your recipes ❤️
That was beautiful.
I had a love that consumed me. My husband Matt died March 25, 2015. We had only been married 11 years. Our love was different than any other I’d ever had, and of yet there’s been no one else. I was 40 when he died and I’m 50 now. Our 16 year old has been the love of my life. Thank God I had her.
I don’t have a favorite, but I’ll have to think about one.
What a beautiful song! Love the picture of your sweet Momma & Dad! Thanks for sharing!❤️
I like this song, I wanted nothing more than to continue living my life into old age and the end with wife, the love of my life. God had other plans, now I am left without her to try and carry on. It is not only age, but arthritis and heartache that has broke and is breaking me down. When we first starting dating (going together) in January 1972, Precious and Few was our song, it seemed like the times we could be alone together were few and far between. I almost broke it off, I am so grateful for God giving me enough sense not to do it, she was a blessing to me and our family.
This morning, I have been reading reading the old post Winfred Cages Wisdom by Don Casada. I may have the name wrong. It is about the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and having your land taken away from you by inament domain (misspelled). I can think of nothing much worse happening than having my land or home taken from me. No amount of money could replace the love, happiness and memories I have of living here for soon to be 71 years with my family, grandparents and neighbors. The property has been in my family for well over 100 years and is already deed over to my son. Living here with these love ones has made me what I am.
Don’t feel bad, lots of people spell it Smokey when really it’s Smoky. Smokey the Bear is correct but The Mountains are Smoky.
Hey Ed, I did good, I only missed it by one letter, that is better than I usually do! I am going to go back and check on Don, I bet he spelled it correctly. Give me a break, have mercy on me, I wrote that at 4:30 this morning! With all of the things I do wrong, it is going to take more than misspelling a word to make me feel bad! I can spell Kat correctly !