Maple Leaf Rag (ballet) Maple Leaf Rag (ballet) Maple Leaf Rag is a storyless Martha Graham ballet set to ragtime compositions by Scott Joplin. The work premiered on October 2, 1990 at New York City Center with costumes by Calvin Klein and lighting by David Finley. Chris Landriau arranged the music and played piano at the debut. The dance is a jubilant self-parody and an homage, of sorts, to Graham's mentor and musical director, Louis Horst, who would play the rag for her whenever she fell into a creative slump. Graham was 96 when she created "Maple Leaf Rag"; it is her last completed
The Maple Leaf Forever We'll not break faith with glories past The torch we'll lower never A shining light to all the world The Maple Leaf forever. From Arctic land to Great Lakes strand Baie d’Espoir to Nootka Sound May patriot love unite us and True commonwealth be found; And may Canadians new and old Uphold the great endeavour And proudly wave from sea to sea The Maple Leaf forever. The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear The Maple Leaf forever And proudly wave from sea to sea The Maple Leaf forever. During the final game of the Toronto Maple Leafs at their former home