"When You and I Were Young, Maggie"
Text from the plaque
This is the childhood home of Maggie Clark, subject of the famous ballad "When You and I Were Young". Its author, George Washington Johnson (1839-1917), wrote the poem shortly before his marriage to Maggie in 1864. Published in his volume of verse entitled "Maple Leaves", it was set to music as "When You and I Were Young, Maggie" by J.A. Butterfield, in 1866. It is believed that the mill referred to in this ballad was situated about 1.6 km north of here on the bank of Twenty Mile Creek. Johnson was born in Binbrook Township and taught at Glanford school where Maggie was one of his pupils.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The City of Hamilton
Inside the Township of Glanbrook building
on Binbrook Road (Road 52)
just east of Fletcher Road (Road 614)
Also recorded for this place: The City of Hamilton
N 43 07.752 W 79 50.257
Recorded November 2009. Check current access before visiting.
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Where it stands
Visitors' notes
August 2, 2017
My Aunt and Uncle now own the home and, although they are great people who love and respect the history of it, were having a really hard time with people regularly coming up the driveway and wandering around. Unfortunately, this is why the plaque will not likely be there for the foreseeable future. Dan Robinson
April 29, 2017
I have a question. What was the address/location of the home on Nebo where this plaque used to be? A friend of the family named Leora lived there approximately 30 years ago. I have fond memories of playing on her farm. I was too young then to understand then, but I've since wondered, did she have anything to do with the history? Thanks! Ruth Church
March 23, 2013
I have read that apatter verse was written to make it a double song. Is this verse still available? We feature this song in our jazz band repertoire and would like to include it. Regards, Frank Lowe
April 17, 2010
I am glad to see the plaque is safe. Maggie Clark is my wife's great-great-aunt. It is time that the Township negotiated with the owner of Maggie's house to re-erect the plaque where it belongs on Nebo Road. Bob Moore, Guelph
November 29, 2009
I have a copy of an old recording of this ballad sung by John McCormack. Very beautiful indeed! Interesting to learn there is a Canadian connection.