My mother who is 86 has fond memories of learning this song in West Virginia in the 1930's. We're planning to sing her version at my father's memorial service this summer. It runs like this:

Lyrics by George W. Johnson and music by James Austin Butterfield, © 1866
Dahlov Ipcar version 3/18/2004

When You and I were Young, Maggie


I wandered today to the hill, Maggie,
To gaze at the scene below;
The stream 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 it is still, Maggie,
Since you and I were young.

Chorus:

Since you and I were young, Maggie,
Since you and I were young;
The creaking old mill it is still, Maggie,
Since you and I were young.

And now we are aged and gray, Maggie,
My steps are less spritely than then;
My face is a well written page, Maggie,
But time alone was the pen;
And now we are aged and gray, Maggie,
As sprays by the white breakers flung,
But to me you're as fair as you were, Maggie,
When you and I were young.

Chorus:

When you and I were young, Maggie,
When you and I were young;
But to me you're as fair as you were, Maggie,
When you and I were young.

Charley Noble