Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie

Subject: Tune Req: TOM RUSH, 'WHEN YOU AND i WERE YOUNG MAG
From: Jeep man
Date: 18 Jan 03 - 08:16 PM

I have heard that Tom Rush recorded "When You And I Were Young Maggie", and I would really like to hear it. I like the laid back singing syle of his.

Where can I hear an MP3 of it or find a copy? Thanks, Jeep

Subject: RE: Tune Req: TOM RUSH, 'WHEN YOU AND i WERE YOUNG MAG
From: masato sakurai
Date: 18 Jan 03 - 09:03 PM

Is it different from When You and I were Young Maggie ?

~Masato

Subject: RE: Tune Req: TOM RUSH, 'WHEN YOU AND i WERE YOUNG MAG
From: Jeep man
Date: 18 Jan 03 - 09:50 PM

Masato, it is the same song. I just wanted to hear the Tom Rush version. Thanks. Jim

Subject: RE: Tune Req: TOM RUSH, 'WHEN YOU AND i WERE YOUNG MAG
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 18 Jan 03 - 10:08 PM

http://tomrush.com/tralbum.htm

Subject: RE: Tune Req: TOM RUSH, 'WHEN YOU AND i WERE YOUNG MAG
From: kendall
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 08:27 AM

You might also give a listen to Sandy Paton doing this one. He is better qualified to sing it anyway! It's on a Folk Legacy cd titled "All the good people"

Subject: RE: Tune Req: TOM RUSH, 'WHEN YOU AND i WERE YOUNG MAG
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 11:08 AM

....and Sandy's version is on the Mudcat Blue Plate Special set as well...

RtS

Subject: RE: Tune Req: TOM RUSH, 'WHEN YOU AND i WERE YOUNG MAG
From: Jeep man
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 11:41 AM

Thanks to all. Now I have lots to look up. Jim

Subject: RE: Tune Req: TOM RUSH, 'WHEN YOU AND i WERE YOUNG MAG
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 11:45 AM

or you could call CAMSCO at 800/548-FOLK (3655) and order the Tom Rush CD ($12.98 + S&H)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: TOM RUSH, 'WHEN YOU AND i WERE YOUNG MAG
From: Amos
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 01:31 PM

Or order the Mudcat CDs!!

A

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: Jim Colbert
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 09:41 AM

Jim-

I heard a really bad quality tape of Tom doing this live in the radio station in nyc- uh, what is the station that has the Easter morning folk show, used to be Vin Scelsa that hosted? Anyway, he did it there and it was exactly what you are thinking of, very laid back and understated. I don't recall liking the recorded version as much, but perhaps you could do a search for someone who might have the radio interview/show?

I haven't heard Sandy Paton's version but I think Folk Legacy is always worth supporting... good folks, no pun intended. Don't you love how they've kept things in print, doing custom cassettes of old vinyl stuff?

jim
bellefonte pa

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: Jeep man
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 05:08 PM

You are so right Jim. Thanks for your response,it helps. Jeep

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: GUEST, JERRY DONOVAN
Date: 30 Oct 03 - 10:30 AM

the song maggie was first published as apoem.The hill referred to was the Hamilton mountain, Hamilton Ontario. The Johnsons moved to Cleveland Ohio where Johnson worked for THE CLEVELAND PRESS.Maggie died after about a year.Her husband brought her remains back to Ontario.Butterfield wrote the lyrics and published the song as he believed that it would fit in well with songs that were popular at that era,i.e. songs by Stephen Foster.Dozens of singers have recorded this song.An excellent version was recorded by Val Doonican.Sean O'Casey used the lyrics for a song in SHADOW OF A GUNMAN.It was titled Nora.

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 30 Oct 03 - 11:21 AM

Hey, Jeep:

I was just out in the garage, cleaning up and was listening to a CD by one of my favorite singers... Clancy Hayes, who sang for many years with Bob Scobey's Frisco Band. Clancy does a delightful song called When You And I Were Young, Maggie Blues. I've never heard the song anywhere else, but it is great fun... haven't heard Tom Rush do it, but Clancy Haye's does it more like Dave Van Ronk would with the Hudson Dusters, if he'd recorded it... great ragtime syncopation and words, which just alludes to the original song..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 30 Oct 03 - 11:46 AM

The Irish Folk Band 'Foster & Allen' - revived this song apprx 1980's.

The song was very popular around oldfolks retirees in the 90's. They thought it was written for 'Maggie the Butcher' - Falklands etc. OC it wasn't.

But hey why spoil a great laugh ... while it lasted.

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 10:57 AM

Sandy's version always makes me weepy. Big sigh and a tear. Go figure. I can't think of any other singer or song who does that to me.
Must be the eyes.

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 11:37 AM

When You and I Were Young, Maggie

Here is a well known song from yester year, by George Washington Johnson, about growing old. Although it is often found in the repertoire of Scottish singers, George Johnson was a Canadian from Toronto. "Maggie" was Margaret Clark, a pupil of George Johnson who was a schoolteacher. Maggie and George fell in love but although they became engaged, Maggie contracted TB. During one of his fiancee's more serious bouts of illness, George walked to a nearby hill, overlooking a mill, and composed the verse that provided the lyrics to his song. George and Maggie were married in 1864 but Maggie's health deteriorated and she died on May 12, 1865. George's friend, J.C. Butterfield set the poem to music and it bcame popular all over the world. George Washington Johnson died in 1917.

"You might also give a listen to Sandy Paton doing this one. He is better qualified to sing it anyway!"

well if a person MUST play the 'more qualified' game, it appears this song is Canadian in origin, so would not a Canadian be more qualified...? Just asking.

I've heard Sandy Paton's version and Tom Rush's version, I like them both equally well.

Charlotte (the view from Ma and Pa's piano stool)

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 12:13 PM

I love this song; my wife's name is Maggie. I've recorded it as a banjo duet (clawhammer and three-finger), but I think Tom Rush's version really brings out the meaning of the last verse.

They say we are feeble with age, Maggie
Our steps are less sprightly than then
My face is a well written page, Maggie
And time alone was the pen.
They say we are aged and grey, Maggie
As spray by the white breakers flung
But to me you're as fair as you were, Maggie
When you and I were young.

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: kendall
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 12:33 PM

I was referring to Sandy's age as a qualification, not his birthplace.

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 12:36 PM

Charlotte,
I believe that Kendall was referring to Sandy's age (50+) and the romantic couple he and Caroline still are. He was not comparing styles, talent, or whatever.

Jed Marum has also recorded a lovely version of "Maggie" as a waltz. A little different and very romantic.

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: GUEST,The Mole catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 12:42 PM

It's a lovely song, regardless,(I do play it on the piano) I have to admit I didn't know of the song's Canadian origin until this morning, and that gives me a bit more pride in singing it.

Charlotte (the Canadian West Coast view from Ma and Pa's piano stool)

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 01:16 PM

Sandy Paton hands down.

I guess I missed this thread when it ran earlier for some reason. I love this song and hearing Sandy do it makes me cry everytime as well Sins.

Once upon a time many moons ago we ran an interesting thread about best love songs. While the songs ran the usual gamut, Sandy volunteered this one as his favorite. At that point, my personal choice as well as every other song on the thread went back to Number 2 and beyond. Maybe I just had to get older and blessed to be living with a woman I love more than life itself to have this lovely song top my personal charts.

In any case, I've heard many versions.........I'll still take Sandy.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 01:18 PM

Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth........and on unto eternity.....that Sandy Paton's version is hands down the touchstone of how to do this song. No question. I still listen to it and find myself wishing I could sing like that.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: Brakn
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 01:34 PM

There's a good bit of info about the song on the Glanbrook Heritage Society site.

Also a little known fact is that the guy who put the poem to music, James C Butterfield, was born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England.

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: GUEST,Winger
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 01:47 PM

I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned the De Dannan version. They recorded it when Maura O'Connell was singing with the band in the 1980's and made it a very popular song in Ireland.

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 02:03 PM

' the De Dannan version.They recorded it when Maura O'Connell was singing with the band in the 1980's and made it a very popular song in Ireland'

they also recorded Handel's "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" as well as Hey Jude and Bohemian Rhapsody...a diverse band they were...

Charlotte (wonders what Handel's "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba"sounds like on the pipes)

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: Declan
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 04:11 AM

To get technical De Dannan didn't record the actual song under discussion here. They recorded the lyrics of Seán O Casey's "Nora", which was based on "When you and I were young Maggie", but with different lyrics. To add to the confusion they substituted Maggie for Nora in the song. Still a lovely recording of a related but different song.

Charlotte

I heard "The Queen of Sheba" on the pipes, but not in the De Dannan version which features fiddle and accordeon mostly.

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: Marion
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 08:57 AM

Lovers of this song might enjoy a song I wrote a few years ago... it's Maggie's response to George at the end of his life. The tune is Abide With Me.

As In Our Younger Days, George

Would I were with you, wandering on the hill
Where once we courted, by the rusting mill
Gaily the birds are singing where I lie
As in our younger days, George, you and I.

Few were the months in wedded bond of heart
Many the years since fortune did us part
Constant our love, unbroken still our tie
As in our younger days, George, you and I.

Mournful the words time wrote upon your face
All of your grief in time shall be erased
Grey be your head, but brilliant still your eye
As in our younger days, George, you and I.

Seasons of late I see your flesh decline
Watch o'er your bed as you watched over mine
Hastening the day my arms shall hold you nigh
As in our younger days, George, you and I.

Cheers, Marion the partially qualified

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: Mark Ross
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 03:15 PM

The Butte, Montana version


I wandered today to the hill, Maggie,
To get me a rustling card,
I got both the card and the job, Maggie,
But the job it was too damned hard.

The tunnel was filled with gas, Maggie,
And the slope it was fitchery as well,
The rock come a'tumblin' down on me, Maggie,
And the shifter was crazier than hell.


There once was a time in Butte, Maggie,
When you could take five and hold your job,
But now it's put the rock in the box , Maggie
And then put the waste in the gob.


Oh, my brown hair has turned to green Maggie,
From the water that seeps from the back,
I'm the homeliest mug in the town, Maggie,
And you'll soon want your maiden name back.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 04:45 PM

Several recordings of Henry Burr singing "When You And I Were Young" circa 1920 can be heard on The Virtual Gramophone.

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 12:44 PM

Johnny MacEvoy also recorded it as Nora in the 1970s.
(I have it on vinyl).

Chris Muriel, Manchester

Subject: RE: Tom Rush: When You and I Were Young, Maggie
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 01:11 PM

And Jim (Lad) Brannigan recorded it as Nora on his album "The Singing Bird" just the other day. I have it on mp3.