By Wayne Francis

In 1969, an all Canadian musical was produced, based on and titled after the Lightfoot song, Love And Maple Syrup. The show garnered good reviews and played in Ottawa, Washington DC, off-Broadway in New York in January 1970 and Toronto - and most likely a number of other places as well.

There were five Lightfoot songs in the show, including the title song; Bossman and The Gypsy. Songs by Joni Mitchell and Ian & Sylvia were also in the production.

The musical appeared on CBC television around that time, and I was pleasantly surprised when Love And Maple Syrup finally turned up on Summer Side Of Life a couple of years later.

Great song! If you ever experienced a northern spring when the maple syrup is running and the snow is melting - the song encompasses all of the hope and passion that time of year can stir within us.

A prequel to Summertime Dream, perhaps?