This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Gareth Owen (talk | contribs) at 08:56, 30 August 2002 (restore version without the messed up formatting). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 08:56, 30 August 2002 by Gareth Owen (talk | contribs) (restore version without the messed up formatting)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)O Canada is the national anthem of Canada. The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, and the original French lyrics were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. It was first performed on June 24, 1880 at a banquet in Quebec City, but did not become Canada's official national anthem until July 1, 1980. The official English version is based on a poem written by Robert Stanley Weir. Changes to the English version were made in 1968 following recommendations made by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons.
Official English Lyrics
FIRST VERSE
O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
CHORUS
God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
SECOND VERSE
O Canada! Where pines and maples grow, Great Praries spread, and lordly rivers flow. How dear to us they broad domain, From East to Western Sea! Thy land of hope for all who toil, Thou True North strong and free!
CHORUS
The anthem is typically sung without the second verse.
Official French Lyrics
O Canada! Terre de nos aïeux, (O Canada! Land of our forefathers) Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux! (Thy brow is wreathed with a glorious garland of flowers.) Car ton bras sait porter l'épée, (As in thy arm ready to wield the sword,) Il sait porter la croix! (So also is it ready to carry the cross.) Ton histoire est une épopée (Thy history is an epic...) Des plus brillants exploits. (of the most brilliant exploits.) Et ta valeur, de foi trempée, (Thy valour steeped in faith) Protégera nos foyers et nos droits. (Will protect our homes and our rights.) Protégera nos foyers et nos droits. (Will protect our homes and our rights.)
Occasionally, singers mix the lyrics across languages in various patterns.
In recent years, the English version of the anthem has been criticized for being sexist ("true patriot love in all thy sons command"); alternate lyrics ("in all of us command") have been proposed but have so far gotten nowhere.
However, if one sings the first two lines in French, the next four in English, and end the song in French, one avoids both sexist language and religious references (except for foi "faith" which could just as easily be faith in one's country and fellow citizens), expresses national unity, and remains unimpeachable on grounds of revisionism, as both versions are just as official.
External links with information to be used in this article: