Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: piano
Song Meaning of “Maple Leaf Rag” by Jo Ann Castle
The song “Maple Leaf Rag” by Jo Ann Castle evokes the feeling of the Canadian countryside in autumn. The listener can almost feel the rays of the golden sun, casting its light upon the red, yellow, and orange leaves. Through the melody of this tune, Castle conjures images of a peaceful walk through a realm of maple trees, the notes of the accompanying instruments like a parade of stirring winds. This song is a reminder of the beauty that hides in the lull of nature’s daily change. Legend has it that the namesake of this genre-defining ragtime masterpiece was inspired by the maple leaf on the Canadian flag—a symbol of the nation’s identity.
The piece begins with a long, drawn-out chord, as if this is a call to arms of sorts. But the following notes soon begin to ascend, as though the listener is being lifted from the valley and into the cool air of the hillside. A sense of caution slowly builds with the introduction of the syncopated bass line, a warning that the journey ahead will be full of its own type of danger. As the piece progresses, the melody becomes more intricate and lively, giving way to a wild ride through the forest that is both mysterious and exciting.
Lyrically, the piece speaks of the North American settlers’ own longing for a new home and start.