Maple Leaf Rag to its publication, Joplin anticipated that the piece would be a success—he told Arthur Marshall that "The Maple Leaf will make me the king of ragtime composers". The exact circumstances which led to publication of the "Maple Leaf Rag" are unknown, and there are versions of the event which contradict each other. After approaching several publishers, Joplin signed a contract with John Stillwell Stark on August 10, 1899 for a $0.01 royalty on all sales of the rag, with a minimum sales price of $0.25. The "Maple Leaf Rag" was published between August 10 and September 20, 1899, when the
The Maple Leaf Forever Leaf Forever!, Long may it wave and God defend, The Maple Leaf Forever!, O land where season's gifts abound, Earth's own bounties rich embrace, Where flowing waters' majesty, Sing the hymn of freedom's grace, From oceantide to northern light, All bound as One Together!, Dominion blessed from sea to sea, The Maple Leaf Forever!, The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear, The Maple Leaf Forever!, Long may it wave and God defend, The Maple Leaf Forever!, The Canadian vocal harmony trio "Finest Kind" (Ian Robb, Ann Downey and Shelley Posen) recorded "The Maple Leaf Forever" on their 2003 CD "Silks &