137
When You and I Were Young, M.\ggie
This song — the tune by J. A. Butterfield, the words by George W.
Johnson — is known in Scotland (Ord 159) and among the woods-
men of the Northwest (Dean 93-4) ; probably much more widely
than this would indicate, for collectors have not acknowledged it
as folk song. It is included here, however, because it seems to
have acquired something like folk currency elsewhere as well as in
372 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE
North Carolina. It appears twice in our collection, but as the two
texts are practically identical it will be sufficient to give one.
When You and I Were Young, Maggie.' From the manuscript of Mrs.
Mary Martin Copley, Route 8, Durham, obtained by Jesse T. Carpenter.
(The other text comes from O. L. Coflfey of ShuU's Mills, Watauga
county.)
1 I wandered today to the hill, Maggie,
To watch the scene below,
The creek and the creaking old mill, Maggie,
As we used to 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:
But now we are aged and gray,* Maggie,
And the trials of life are nearly done;
Let us sing of the days that are gone, Maggie,
When you and I were young.
2 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 we sung.
For we sang as gay as they, Maggie,
When you and I were young.
3 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 gray, Maggie,
As sprays by the white breakers flung.
But to me you are fair as you were, Maggie,
When you and I were young,