O Canada --The National Anthem of Canada: Lyrics and Comments

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O Canada
In English and French
With comments by Michael Mitchell

"O Canada" was proclaimed Canada¹s national anthem on July 1, 1980, a century after it was first performed in Quebec City on June 24, 1880. The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, a well-known composer.
French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Adolphe-Basile Routhier. Many English versions have appeared over the years. The version on which the official English lyrics are based was written in 1908 by Robert Stanley Weir. The official English version includes changes recommended in 1968 by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Commons. The French lyrics remain unchanged.

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. O Canada!
Terre de nos aieux,
Ton front est ceint
de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l'é pée
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une é popée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur de foi trempée,
Proté gera nos foyers et nos droits.
Proté gera nos foyers et nos droits.

The French version is quite different from the English. There have been several literal English translations of the anthem, but one of the best is taken from Songs of French Canada: Translated into English by a Montreal writer, William McLennan. It goes like this:

O Canada!
Land of our sires
Whose brow is bound
with glorious bays
The sword thy valourous
hand can wield
And bear the Cross that faith inspires
What mighty deeds hast thou beheld
An epogee of glorious sights
The faith, thy shield through all thy days
Shall still protect our homes and rights
Shall still protect our homes and rights.

About Michael Mitchell

Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Michael Mitchell has lived a fascinating life that included a 24-year stint in the Canadian military, from which he retired in the rank of Major. Much of that time was spent as a reserve or full-time member of the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, perhaps the most famous Scottish regiment in the world. His career was so distinguished that the Governor General of Canada awarded him the Order of Military Merit in the class of Officer. This award merits a ranking one level higher than Member of the Order of Canada. When he wasn't working full-time in the armed forces, Michael pursued a career in banking, sales and marketing, and personnel consulting before pursuing his true calling, in the early 1980's : music.
Michael has become such a fixture on the Canadian music scene that his Canada is for Kids concerts have become one of the most popular school performing arts programs in Canada, with more than 250 shows booked every year. His repertoire is distinctly Canadian, and includes Something to Sing About, Canada Is, The Log Driver's Waltz, Alberta Bound, and the Canuck version of This Land is Your Land, as well as his own popular compositions such as Canada in My Pocket, Little Trees, and Fly High.

Learn more about Michael and his music at Michael-Mitchell.ca

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