“Maple Sugar” is a beloved Canadian fiddle tune composed in 1956 by Ontario fiddler Ward Allen (1924-1965), a professional musician who dominated fiddle contests across Canada in the 1950s and enjoyed a successful radio career. Allen, who performed with country music legends like Wilf Carter and appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, originally released “Maple Sugar” as the B-side to “Back Up and Push” on Sparton Records, though it quickly became the breakout hit that would define his legacy. Written in a major key with the characteristic rhythmic drive and melodic ornamentation of Franco-Canadian fiddle music, the tune embodies the spirited, danceable character that makes Canadian fiddling so distinctive.

Now recognized as the unofficial Canadian National Fiddle Anthem, “Maple Sugar” has become a staple of jams across North America, from Maritime kitchen parties to New England contest stages. The piece perfectly captures something quintessentially Canadian in its musical character—both refined and rustic, sophisticated yet accessible—representing the rich cultural blend that developed as French, Scottish, Irish, and other musical traditions merged in the Canadian landscape.