The Maple Leaf Forever
The Maple Leaf Forever is a Canadian patriotic song written by Alexander Muir (1830-1906), a childhood school principal who immigrated from Lanark , Scotland , in 1867, the year Canada was founded, after serving in the battle von Ridgeway had fought the Fenians.
Muir is said to have been inspired for this song by a large maple tree that stood on his Maple Cottage property in Toronto . The song became quite popular in English-speaking Canada and served as the unofficial national anthem for many years . Because of its British perspective, it was rather unpopular with French-speaking Canadians , which prevented it from ever becoming the official anthem, although it was de facto used as an anthem on some occasions.
text
In days of yore, from Britain's shore
Wolfe , the dauntless hero, came
And planted firm Britannia's flag
On Canada's fair domain.
Here may it wave, our boast and pride
And, joined in love together,
The thistle , shamrock , rose entwine
The Maple Leaf forever!
Refrain:
The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear,
The Maple Leaf forever!
God save our Queen and Heaven bless
The Maple Leaf forever!
At Queenston Heights and Lundy's Lane ,
Our brave fathers, side by side,
For freedom, homes and loved ones dear,
Firmly stood and nobly died;
And those dear rights which they maintained,
We swear to yield them never!
Our watchword evermore shall be
"The Maple Leaf forever!"
(Refrain)
Our fair Dominion now extends
From Cape Race to Nootka Sound ;
May peace forever be our lot,
And plenteous store abound:
And may those ties of love be ours
Which discord cannot sever,
And flourish green o'er freedom's home
The Maple Leaf forever!
(Refrain)
On merry England's far famed land
May kind heaven sweetly smile,
God bless old Scotland evermore
and Ireland's Em'rald Isle!
And swell the song both loud and long
Till rocks and forest quiver!
God save our Queen and Heaven bless
The Maple Leaf forever!
(Refrain)
translation
In the old days, from the coast of Britain
came Wolfe, the bold hero,
And set the flag of Britain
on Canada's fair ground.
Here it may blow, our fame and pride
And, together, bound in love Embraced
by thistle, shamrock, rose
The maple leaf forever!
Refrain:
The maple leaf, our dear landmark,
the maple leaf forever!
God save our queen and heaven bless
the maple leaf forever!
At Queenston Heights and Lundys Lane,
Our brave fathers, side by side,
For freedom, home and the dear ones, stood
firm and died nobly;
And these dear rights they defended,
We swear never to give them up!
Our slogan should be for all time
"The maple leaf forever!"
(Refrain)
Our territory is now expanding
From Cape Race to Nootka Sound;
May peace be our mission forever,
And plenty of space:
And may this covenant of love be ours
The discord cannot dissolve,
And blossom green over the freedom home
The maple leaf forever
(Refrain)
To blessed England, the well-known land,
May the dear Heaven smile sweetly
God bless old Scotland forever
And Ireland's emerald green island!
And swell the song loud as it is long
Until the rocks and the forest shake
God save our queen and heaven bless
the maple leaf forever!
(Refrain)
In 1997, CBC Radio's Metro Morning Show in Toronto initiated a competition to find a new text. The competition was won by the Romanian immigrant Vladimir Radian who came to Canada in the 1980s. On June 27, 1997, this version was played for the first time at a concert by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra . The new version made no mention of British colonialism and instead includes the symbol of the province of Québec , the lily .
During the last game of the Toronto Maple Leafs at their former stadium, Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Anne Murray sang a version of the song different from Radian. This was also used by Michael Bublé at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics Closing Ceremony .