Paul Anka cancels performing 'My Way' at Trump inauguration

A Canadian singer and song writer of Syrian and Lebanese origin was set to perform his famous song "My Way" at Donald Trump's an inaugural ball on Friday, but cancelled over family commitments.

Paul Anka, who wrote "My Way" -  which was famously performed by the late Frank Sinatra - was invited to sing a tailored version for Trump and his wife Melania to dance to.

"The [president] is an old friend of mine for 50 years," 75-year-old Anka told TMZ.

"My Way was his favourite song, but the backstory of it is, I've been in a custody battle for two years for my son, Ethan, and we have a new schedule now, and I'm unable to do it," he said.

"If I'd done it, I'd hope that there would've been some understanding for my motivation for it and judge me accordingly."

The song "My Way" will instead be performed by jazz singer Erin Boehme on Friday.

It was made popular by Sinatra in 1969.

Sinatra's daughter, Nancy, responded on Twitter to users asking how she feels about "My Way" being sung at the event.

"Just remember the first line of the song," she tweeted.

The first line of of the song is "And now, the end is near."