A song about a sailor and his dog, 1852.
words and music by Stephen C. Foster
A mostly forgotten song that preceded Foster’s “Old Dog Tray”. From The Stephen Foster Song Book: “Maggie By My Side” is unusual among Foster’s works in that it is a sea song. The narrator is a sailor and the Maggie of the title is apparently the sailor’s dog (women never lived on sailing ships, of course). Judging from the evidence, she is a large and protective companion: the sailor remains indifferent to “the storm raging ’round” his pillow as long as he has dear Maggie sitting by his side.”
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by W. Tomaschewski:
Lyrics
- The land of my home is flitting
Flitting from my view
A gale in the sails is sitting
Toils the merry crew
Here let my home be
On the waters wide
I’ll roam with a proud heart
Maggie’s by my side
Chorus
My own love, Maggie dear
Sitting by my side
Maggie dear, my own love
Sitting by my side
- The wind howling o’er the billow
From the distant lea
The storm raging ’round my pillow
Brings no care to me
Roll on ye dark waves
O’er the troubled tide
I heed not your anger
Maggie’s by my side - Storms can appal me never
While her brow is clear
Fair weather lingers ever
Where her smiles appear
When sorrow’s breakers
’Round my heart shall hide
Still may I find her
Sitting by my side
Sung here by Fred Feild: