Thursday, October 3, 2013

O Canada!!


Yours truly, Canadian citizen

There is a big kerfuffle going on because there are people who want to change the lyrics of the national anthem from "all thy sons command" to all of us command". I'm for it. Originally it was: 

 Weir's original lyrics from 1908 contained no religious references and used the phrase "thou dost in us command" before they were changed by Weir in 1914 to read "in all thy sons command". (wikipedia)

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.


 I mean really, if you're worried about changing a couple of words consider that The French version translates to:

 O Canada!
Land of our forefathers,
Thy brow is wreathed with a glorious garland of flowers.
As is thy arm ready to wield the sword,
So also is it ready to carry the cross.
Thy history is an epic
Of the most brilliant exploits.
Thy valour steeped in faith
Will protect our homes and our rights
Will protect our homes and our rights

from:
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.

WHOA!

1 comment:

Janice Edwards said...

Pauline Marios would probably like the French version - mentioning carrying the cross, and all that... A bit flowery, all in all. Maybe we could modernize the French one, then translate into English (just kidding).