The original French lyrics of “O Canada” were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier, to music composed by Calixa Lavallée, as a French Canadian patriotic song for the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society and first performed on June 24, 1880, at a Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day banquet in Quebec City.
Lyrics:
English:
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.
To hear the English version from 1925, click HERE
French:
Ô Canada!
Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l’épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
To hear the French version from 1918, click HERE
In the Throne Speech delivered by Governor General Michaëlle Jean on March 3, 2010, a plan to have parliament review the “original gender-neutral wording of the national anthem” was announced. However, three-quarters of Canadians polled after the speech objected to the proposal and, two days later, the prime minister’s office announced that the Cabinet had decided not to restore the original lyrics.
To find more information, I suggest Anthems and nationalistic songs of Canada, and List of national anthems.
Bite Size Canada 
Nice to know the history. 🙂
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One the day Canada becomes 147 years old, my cats Andy and Dougy celebrate their third birthday. Don’t know what that has to do with much of anything, but it is fun to have significant historical events tied in with the mundane. Helps me remember to celebrate! Come July 1st — and let me be among the early well-wishers — “Happy Canada Day, Canada!!!”
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Thank you, I will wear your wish in my heart on July 1, as well as extend one to each Dougy and Andy. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Patchwork Ponderings and commented:
With Canada Day only a week away, it’s a good time to share Bite Size Canada’s post.
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I love the lyrics and the tune of our National Anthem. I wish they sing this at the school before starting the study sessions.
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I sort of remember having to do this at start of school when I was younger, but I don’t remember what school that was., much less what grade. To this day, I don’t know it by rote. I do know that it’s the French one we did. So it was probably the Quebec school system. I don’t know what they do nowadays, if anything!
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Perfect timing – thank you for those lyrics as I’m going to have to REALLY learn them now as we plan to apply for citizenship! 🙂
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I wish you lots of luck. Keep me posted. If there is a point you don’t understand, while studying, ask. There is always the chance I may be able to help. 🙂
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That would be fantastic – thank you so much! 🙂
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