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 stadium, Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Anne Murray sang another version (modified from Radian's version) of the "Maple Leaf Forever" to the crowd. This version was also used by Michael Bublé during the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony: O, land of blue unending skies, Mountains strong and sparkling snow, A scent of freedom in the wind, O'er the emerald fields below. To thee we brought our hopes, our dreams, For thee we stand together, Our land of peace, where proudly flies, The Maple Leaf forever. "Chorus:" Long may it wave, and grace our own, Blue skies and stormy weather, Within