Former Canadian National Anthems - Maple Leaf Forever (1867) and My Own Canadian Home (1887)

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Two songs from the 19th century that served as early national anthems in Canada, and the stories of their creation. Maple Leaf Forever was written as part of a national competition in 1867 to write a song for confederation. Alexander Muir wrote this one, words and music, and came second. But he printed sheet music and eventually sold more than 1 million sheets. The song was sung at events and at schools into the 20th century. My Own Canadian Home was written in 1887 by Edwin G. Nelson, a prominent bookseller in Saint John, New Brunswick. In the late 19th century it was known as "Canada's National Song." His lyrics were put to several settings but this one, the best known and most successful, was by Morely McLaughlin. This song was sung in Maritime schools into the 20th century but faded from use after WW2. It was named the official song of Saint John in 1967. Note verse four's overt reference to Canada's stance against slavery (it became illegal in the British commonwealth in 1834, and a dig at the US for not moving quicker (the US ended slaver in 1865), although at the time of writing both countries had made it illegal.

The Maple Leaf Forever (Alexander Muir, 1867)

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, our pride,
And joined in love together!
The Thistle, Shamrock, Rose, entwine,
The Maple Leaf for ever!

Chorus:
The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear,
The Maple Leaf forever!
God save the King, and Heaven bless
The Maple Leaf for ever!

At Queenstown 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 ever more shall be,
The Maple Leaf for ever! [Chorus]

Our fair Dominion now extends
From Cape Race to Nootka Sound;
May peace for ever 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 for ever! [Chorus]

On merry England’s far-famed land
May kind Heaven sweetly smile;
God bless old Scotland ever more,
And Ireland’s Em'rald Isle!
Then swell the song, both loud and long,
Till rocks and forest quiver,
God save our King and Heaven bless
The Maple Leaf for ever! [Chorus]


My Own Canadian Home (Edwin G. Nelson/Morely McLaughlin, 1887)

Though other skies may be as bright,
And other lands as fair;
Though charms of other climes invite
My wand’ring footsteps there,
Yet there is one, the peer of all
Beneath bright heaven’s dome;
Of thee I sing, O happy land
My own Canadian home

Thy lakes and rives, as “the voice of many waters” raise
To Him who planned their vast extent
A symphony of praise.
Thy mountain peaks o’erlook the clouds-
They pierce the azure skies;
They bid thy sons be strong and true-
To great achievements rise

A noble heritage is thine,
So grand and fair and free;
A fertile land, where he who toils
Shall well rewarded be,
And he who joys in nature’s charms
Exulting, here may roam
‘Mid scenes of grandeur, which adorn
My own Canadian home.

Shall not the race that tread thy plains,
Spurn all that would enslave?
Or they who battle with thy tides
Shall not that race be brave?
Shall not Niagara’s mighty voice
Inspire to actions high?
‘Twere easy such a land to love,
Or for her glory die

And doubt not should a foeman’s hand
Be armed to strike at thee,
Thy trumpet call throughout the land
Need scarce repeated be!
As bravely as on Queen’s Heights,
Or as in Lundy’s Lane,
Thy sons will battle for thy rights
And freedom’s cause maintain

Did kindly heaven afford to me
The choice where I would dwell,
Fair Canada that choice should be,
The land I love so well.
I love thy hills and valleys wide,
Thy waters’ flash and foam;
May God in love o’er thee preside,
My own Canadian home.