Maple Leaf Forever
The Maple Leaf Forever was written by Alexander Muir in Canada’s confederation year,1867. It has been regarded as Canada’s National Song for decades.
According to local tradition, one day in the fall of 1867, Alexander Muir (who was then the principal of the Leslieville Public School) was strolling along the pathway that is now Laing Street when a Maple leaf floated down and clung persistently to his sleeve. He tried to brush it off, then jokingly remarked ‘the Maple leaf for ever.’ He then wrote the poem which he fitted to his own music.
Despite doubts about its age the anecdotal nature of the legend attached to it, the Silver Maple and adjacent house at 62, Laing Street in Toronto have become a shrine for English-Canadian patriots. Plaques were placed on the site in 1937 and 1958 (the second by the Grand Orange Lodge of British America), and in 1981 both the tree and Maple Cottage were listed as heritage properties because of the long-standing neighbourhood tradition that the tree inspired Muir.
The Maple Leaf Forever
by Alexander Muir, 1867
In days of yore, from Britain’s shore
Wolfe, the dauntless hero came
And planted firm Britania’s flag
On Canada’s fair domain!
Here may it wave, our boast, our pride
And joined in love together
The Thistle, Shamrock, Rose entwine
The Maple Leaf forever!
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”!
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
On merry England’s far-famed land
May kind Heaven sweetly smile
God bless Old Scotland evermore
And Ireland’s Emerald Isle!
Then swell the song, both loud and long!
Till rocks and forests quiver
God save our Queen and Heaven Bless
The Maple Leaf forever!
The lyrics were subsequently changed to make them politically correct.