CA18 – Maple Leaf Forever


Stitcher: Marcia McMenamie (Quebec)

The federal Dominion of Canada was officially formed in 1867, following discussions which had begun at conferences in Charlottetown and Quebec several years before. The Glasgow-born Sir John Alexander Macdonald (1815-91) was elected as Canada’s first Prime Minister, and served for nineteen years in total. During this time Canada expanded towards approximately its modern size. Another Scot, Alexander Muir (1830 –1906) from Lesmahagow, wrote a song to commemorate confederation whilst living in Toronto, Maple Leaf Forever. The song became hugely popular and in much of English-speaking Canada became something of an unofficial anthem.

CA18 An Duilleag Malpas gu Bràth
Chaidh Uachdranachd feadarail Chanada fhosgladh gu h-oifigeil ann an 1867, a’ leantainn air còmhraidhean a thòisich aig co-labhairtean ann am Baile Theàrlaig agus grunn bhliadhnaicheean roimhe sin. Chaidh Sir Iain Alasdair MacDhòmhnaill (1815–91) a rugadh ann an Glaschu, a thaghadh mar Phrìomh Mhinistear Chanada, agus fhritheil e san dreuchd sin airson naoi bliadhna deug. Aig an àm seo bha Canada a’ leudachadh a dh’ionnsaigh faisg air meud an latha an-diugh. Sgrìobh Albannach eile, Alasdair Muir (1830 –1906) à Lios Mo Chuda, òran cuimhneachaidh don cho-chaidreachas, Duilleag Malpas Gu Bràth, fhad ’s a bha e a’ fuireach ann an Toronto. Dh’fhàs meas mhòr air an òran agus anns a’ mhòr-chuid de Chanada san robh a’ bheurla, bha e mar laoidh nàiseanta neo-oifigeil.

CA07