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rfmcdonaldBelow is the text of the official version of "O Canada," Canada's national anthem.
Below is the French-language original. To its right is a direct translation of the original lyrics of "O Canada" into English.
The French-language original really makes sense only when you realize that Calixa Lavallée wrote "O Canada" as a French Canadian national anthem.
All that Canada did was co-opt this song as the anthem of the country of Canada, depriving the Canadien people of their national song. It's perhaps unsurprising that it lacks the depth of Adolphe-Basile Routhier's original lyrics, concerned with as they are with the Church and language rights and the security of home. It is a bit surprising that so many people have conflated "Canada" with "canadiens," but that's the price of historical illiteracy.
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.
Below is the French-language original. To its right is a direct translation of the original lyrics of "O Canada" into English.
| 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. |
O Canada! Land of our forefathers Thy brow is wreathed with a glorious garland of flowers. As in 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. |
The French-language original really makes sense only when you realize that Calixa Lavallée wrote "O Canada" as a French Canadian national anthem.
A national song had long been desired by the French Canadians. One of the first attempts, 'Sol canadien, terre chérie', with words written in 1829 by Isidore Bédard and music by T.F. Molt, was short-lived. In 1834, at the founding of the St-Jean-Baptiste Association (later Society), Sir George-Étienne Cartier sang his composition 'Ô Canada! mon pays! mes amours!' to an existing French tune. Other songs like Célestin Lavigueur's 'La Huronne', 'Le Drapeau de Carillon' by Octave Crémazie and Charles W. Sabatier, and 'Ô Canada! mon pays! mes amours!' with music by J.-B. Labelle enjoyed a certain popularity. In Chansons populaires du Canada (Quebec City 1865) Ernest Gagnon wrote of 'Vive la Canadienne' that 'the melody of this song and that of Claire Fontaine [ie, ''À la claire fontaine''] take the place of a national anthem until something better comes along.' In 1878 the St-Jean-Baptiste Society of Montreal officially adopted 'À la claire fontaine' as a national song.
The need for a rallying song was placed on the agenda of the French-Canadian national festival, which was to be held 23-5 Jun 1880 in Quebec City during the Saint-Jean-Baptiste festivities, bringing together delegates from Canada and the USA. A music committee, appointed 15 Mar 1880, consisted of 23 members, including Calixa Lavallée, Arthur Lavigne, Gustave Gagnon, Alfred Paré, Louis-Nazaire LeVasseur, and Joseph Vézina. Ernest Gagnon was president, and Clodomir Delisle was secretary.
In a chapter of the 'official report,' Fête nationale des Canadiens français by Honoré-Julien-Jean-Baptiste Chouinard (Quebec City 1881), Amédée Robitaille stated: 'The music committee was not satisfied with ensuring that the musical side of the festivities was successful, and wished to be remembered for something more enduring than the enthusiasm and applause of the moment. One subject that has been debated often, in the press and in our public assemblies as well as our popular societies, is the adoption of a national anthem or song acceptable to all French Canadians. Among the many projects suggested to our committees from all sides, the selection of such a song was the one that attracted the attention of the 24 June organizers. It was a letter dated 24 Jan 1880 from the Reverend Napoléon Caron, priest of the diocese of Trois-Rivières, that proposed a competition as a means of choosing a national anthem or song for 24 June. The inevitable difficulties surrounding competitions and the little time remaining before 24 June kept the music committee, to which the matter had been referred, from carrying out the project in its entirety. But Calixa Lavallée, the distinguished artist whose works are highly esteemed by connoisseurs, was invited to compose a national anthem for 24 June. He went to work enthusiastically and, after several attempts, presented the committee with the national anthem which perpetuates his name and increases daily in popularity.'
All that Canada did was co-opt this song as the anthem of the country of Canada, depriving the Canadien people of their national song. It's perhaps unsurprising that it lacks the depth of Adolphe-Basile Routhier's original lyrics, concerned with as they are with the Church and language rights and the security of home. It is a bit surprising that so many people have conflated "Canada" with "canadiens," but that's the price of historical illiteracy.
