When You and I Were Young, Maggie was written in 1866, with lyrics by George W. Johnson and music by James A. Butterfield. The song is often associated with Hamilton, Ontario, where the text was inspired by a real-life setting overlooking the city. It became widely known in the late 19th century and remained in circulation through parlor singing and early recordings, later appearing in the repertoires of artists such as Bing Crosby, Johnny Cash, and The Carter Family. This performance is presented with voice and acoustic guitar. Song: When You and I Were Young, Maggie Written by: George W. Johnson & James A. Butterfield (1866) Performance: Jason Paul – voice & guitar
Jason Paul · The song collection1866
When You and I Were Young, Maggie
The performance
2 recordingsPerformance 1
When You and I Were Young, Maggie [1866] – James A. Butterfield, George W. Johnson | Jason Paul
April 30, 2026
Lyrics and chords
verse 1
I Awandered today A7to the Dhill, Maggie
to Awatch the scene beE7low
The Acreek and the old A7rusty Dmill, Maggie
Where we Asat in the E7 long long aAgo
The Dgreen grove is gone from the Ahill, Maggie
Where Efirst the B7daisies had E7sprung
The Aold rusty mill A7is now Dstill, F#dim7Maggie
Since Ayou and E7I were Ayoung
chorus
A7and Dnow we are aged and Agray, Maggie
The Etrials of B7life nearly E7done
Let’s Asing of the days A7that are Dgone, Maggie
When Ayou and E7I were Ayoung
verse 2
A Acity so siA7lent and Dlone, Maggie
Where Ayoung and gay and E7best
In Apolished white manA7sions of Dstone, Maggie
Where they Aeach found a E7place for their Arest
Is Dbuilt where the birds used to Aplay, Maggie
And Ejoin in B7songs that were E7young
We Asang just as gay A7as did Dthey, F#dim7Maggie
When Ayou and E7I were Ayoung
verse 3
They Asay I am feeA7ble with Dage, Maggie
My Asteps less sprightly than E7then
My AFace is a well-A7written Dpage, Maggie
Then but Atime, time aE7lone was the Apen
They Dsay we are aged and Agray, Maggie
As Espray by white B7breakers E7flung
To Ame you’re as fair A7as you Dwere, F#dim7Maggie
When Ayou and E7I were Ayoung