Editing The Maple Leaf Forever (section)

== Lyrics ==
<poem>
In days of yore, from Britain's shore,
[[James Wolfe|Wolfe]], the dauntless hero, came
And planted firm [[Union Flag|Britannia's flag]]
On Canada's fair domain.
Here may it wave, our boast, our pride
And, joined in love together,
The [[Thistle#Scottish thistle|thistle]], [[Shamrock#Symbol of Ireland|shamrock]], [[Tudor rose|rose]] entwine (Also sung: The lily, thistle, shamrock, rose)
The Maple Leaf forever!

''Chorus''
   The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear,
   The Maple Leaf forever!
   God save our [[Monarchy of Canada|King]] and [[Heaven]] bless
   The Maple Leaf forever!

At [[Battle of Queenston Heights|Queenston Heights]] and [[Battle of Lundy's Lane|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!"

''Chorus''

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!

''Chorus''

On merry England's far famed land
May kind heaven sweetly smile,
God bless old Scotland evermore
and Ireland's [[Ireland#Geography|Em'rald Isle]]!
And swell the song both loud and long
Till rocks and forest quiver!
God save our King and Heaven bless
The Maple Leaf forever!

''Chorus''
</poem>

===Alternative lyrics===

[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] Radio's ''[[Metro Morning]]'' show in [[Toronto]] ran a contest to find new lyrics for the song in 1997. The contest was won by Romanian immigrant, mathematician, and now a songwriter, actor and poet, Vladimir Radian, who came to Canada in the 1980s. This version received its first full orchestral treatment on June 27, 1997, at a concert by the [[Toronto Symphony Orchestra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/neighbourhood-grows-trees-from-the-seeds-of-canadas-history|title=Neighbourhood grows trees from the seeds of Canada's history (with video)|date=November 2, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2017}}</ref>

The new version removed all references to British-Canadian heritage, but added a special reference to Quebec's provincial symbol, the [[fleur-de-lis]].

Padre G. E. Benton, a former Canadian army chaplain, also wrote a revised version.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.piddingworth.com/maple_leaf_forever_new.html |title=Maple_leaf_forever_new |access-date=June 17, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002143417/http://www.piddingworth.com/maple_leaf_forever_new.html |archive-date=October 2, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The Canadian vocal harmony trio "[[Finest Kind]]" (Ian Robb, Ann Downey and Shelley Posen) recorded "The Maple Leaf Forever" on their 2003 CD "Silks & Spices". This version, with new words co-written by Posen and Robb and harmony arrangement by the trio, was sung at the ceremonial planting in Ottawa of two silver maple seedlings: direct descendants of the tree which is thought to have inspired Alexander Muir to write the original song in 1867. The ceremony occurred on November 2, 2014, and was attended by several local dignitaries and military veterans. The words acknowledge the Aboriginal, French, English and "new Canadian" contributions to the evolution of Canada, and highlight Canada's more recent military role as peacekeepers "where hate and war divide". The second verse also references John McCrae's iconic First World War poem "[[In Flanders Fields]]".

===Maple Leaf Gardens / Winter Olympics===
{{ external media
| width  = 300px
| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYlCGQ628gE&t=2h19m10s Video of Michael Bublé singing "Maple Leaf Forever" at the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony.]<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYlCGQ628gE&t=2h19m10s Michael Buble at Closing Ceremony]. ''youtube.com''</ref>}}

During the final game of the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] at their former home arena, [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] in Toronto, [[Anne Murray]] sang another version (modified from Radian's version) of the ''Maple Leaf Forever''. This version was also used by [[Michael Bublé]] during the [[2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony]].