The Maple Leaf Forever!

Here's yet another forgotten anthem of Canada. "The Maple Leaf Forever" was written by Alexander Muir in 1867, the year of Canada's Confederation. It used to be Canada's unofficial anthem for about a century. But because of its strongly British perspective "The Maple Leaf Forever" became politically incorrect in the Trudeaupian era.

There was just no way "The Maple Leaf Forever" could be altered to express the new "multicultural" Canada. Even an attempt to add the lily to the thistle, shamrock and rose didn't succeed. In mid-1990s the CBC came up with an initiative to rewrite the lyrics completely - that turned out to be even more pathetic. The new lyrics ended up praising nothing but Canada's landscape and weather. So, even if occasionally played - "The Maple Leaf Forever" is played without the words.

But why should we forget the original lyrics? Luckily, not everyone yet has the PC-style amnesia. Here's the illustrated version I found on YouTube (too bad it lacks the second verse). Enjoy and have a happy Dominion Day!