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.
God keep our land
glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
A brief Summary of the History of The Canadian
National Anthem.
"O Canada" was proclaimed Canada's national anthem
on July 1, 1980, 100 years after it was first sung on June 24, 1880.
We are not a country that likes to rush into things. The music was
composed by Calixa Lavall้e, a well-known composer; French lyrics to
accompany the music were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The
song gained steadily in popularity. Many English versions have
appeared over the years. The version on which the official English
lyrics are based was written in 1908 by Mr. Justice Robert Stanley
Weir. The official English version includes changes recommended in
1968 by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons.
The French lyrics remain unaltered.
The Canadian National Anthem is shorter than the US
one. This is because Canadian's don't like to wait too long for the
hockey game to start.
To be true to the Anthem, it is generally sung part
in English and part in French. However if you have Canadian visitors
that is not advised. It's mostly likely they probably don't speak
French and people trying to sing in French, who don't know French, is
not a pretty sight.
If you are interested in more information on the
Canadian National Anthem
please visit the
Canadian Heritage website
O Canada in Word
and PDF format
For our Canadian members we present
The Star Spangled Banner
