A distinguished law professor came
To power in "48.
He was nicknamed "Uncle Louis"
Louis St. Laurent his name.

He had been a Cabinet Minister,
Who ably did his thing
Much needed in Quebec to build
Support for Mackenzie King.

His era saw much conflict,
Such as the Korean War.
Canada played a larger global role
Than she ever had before.

The addition of Newfoundland,
Into the Canadian fold
Was celebrated from coast to coast,
It made Canada seem whole.

Chorus:
The post-war boom continued,
Construction started to swell
With the Trans-Canada Highway and Pipeline,
And St. Lawrence Seaway as well.

He oversaw much growth at home,
and on the international stage
Canada had come of age.

By 1957,
The country tired of Liberal rule.
They'd been in power so many years,
It was time for renewal.

The change was about to come
Giving Conservatives victory
And John Diefenbaker won
The office finally.

He'd had experience in
Parliament
For 17 years or so.
A Member from Saskatchewan,
In Opposition row.

He sponsored the first Bill of Rights
So Canadians would share
Special Rights and Freedoms
For Canadians everywhere.

Chorus

The post-war boom continued,
Under "Dief the Chief."
Expanding trade around the world,
Was his strong belief.

The Far North was developed,
Asserting sovereignty
Canada had come of age.

Bridge

By 1962 though,
Recession came around.
Canada's dollar was devalued,
Dief's leadership unwound.

Relations with the U.S.A.
Started to grow cold.
"Dief " lost the job in '63,
Into power the Liberals rolled.

In came Lester Pearson,
He made his influence felt.
A former career diplomat,
So many posts he'd held.

Helped found the United Nations,
And helped see NATO rise,
The Suez Crisis he resolved,
And won a Nobel Prize.

He introduced a Pension Plan,
And Medicare for all.
Canada finally got her own flag,
Cause Pearson made the call.

And during his time in office
The Centennial birthday passed.
A yearlong celebration
Of a Nation built to last.

Chorus

The 60's saw so much change,
It really was a show.
In 67 the whole world came
To Canada's Expo.

Canada made a great impression.
She took center stage.
Canada had come of age.