This is what we call ‘extreme controversy’ in Canada
Image by Getty Images via Daylife
The Canadian hockey world (translation: all Canadian citizens other than me, my sisters and maybe one other person in Saskatchewan) is in a tizzy this week, over the dastardly lyrics to a new anthem written for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The ditty, called “Leaf’s Nation” was written by Alan Frew. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Frew is also the lead singer of Glass Tiger (hah). He’s also, much to the horror and outrage of Canadians everywhere, not a citizen of my fair northern homeland. But nevertheless, Mr. Frew really, really likes the Maple Leafs. So much so that he decided to write them a new anthem that bashes every other Canadian hockey team.
If by bash, you’re referring to the Canadian definition: mildly poke fun at, with a side of tea and biscuits, and offer an apology five minutes later.
The line in question goes a little something like this:
“Oh! Oh! Oh! This is Canada’s team (Go Leafs Go).”
As a Canadian born and raised in Alberta, I’m offended. Or, I mean, I would be offended, if I weren’t so darn modest, polite and loving. Other Canadians, however, are genuinely getting feisty. From the blog-o-sphere’s .ca message boards:
“…Wonder what all the cowpokes with their big swingin dicks in Alberta think about some [effing] 80’s retread like Alan [effing] Frew composing a garbage [effing] song like this and referring to the Leaf’s as “Canada’s team”
Wow. And then there’s:
“Anybody who still supports the Leafs surely has had a lobotomy.”
I’m starting to suspect that the response to the anthem is more offensive than the anthem itself. For future reference, Canadian hockey fans, you’ve got it pretty good. The Dallas Stars’ fight song was written by Pantera, and boasts the uber-bad-ass title “Puck Off”. Shudder.
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“Oh! Oh! Oh! This is Canada’s team (Go Leafs Go).”
That’s seriously all it takes to get non-Leafs fans in Canada fired up like this?
They almost seem like NFL fans.
“Canada’s team” is where the brouhaha originated. Why are the Leafs the team of Canada? What about the Calgary Flames? Or the Montreal Canadiens? …I guess that’s really…offensive…somehow…Oh, Canada!
Well, at least coming up with this diddy for the Leafs gave Frew something to do…that’s not saying much for Frew, of course
it IS offensive. ‘Canada’s team’ should not be the most pathetic Canadian team in the league! They haven’t won the Cup in 42 years, and they’ve been particularly, exquisitely bad the past few seasons. (Why can’t I help smiling as I type that?) This cannot stand!
Hi Emma.
… Hi KDD.
I heard a nice little 50 minute rant about this from my sister-in-law the other day. I had no idea there was so much compassion for hockey…