Song: “O Canada!”
– C1-C2 (advanced) –
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Every country has an anthem, a song that represents the nation. In this way, Canada is no different. What sets Canada apart from other countries, however, is that its anthem has five official variants: one in English, one in ASL (American Sign Language), one in French, one in LSQ (Quebec Sign Language (Langue des signes québécoise), and one that is bilingual, combining both English and French. While each of these variants have the same tune and title (O Canada), the English and French ones do not have the same lyrics.
ENGLISH
The lyrics of the English version can be found below:
O Canada!
Our home and/on native land!
True patriot love in all of us 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.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
FRENCH
Here are the French lyrics whose English translation can be found in parentheses:
Ô Canada! (O Canada!)
Terre de nos aïeux, (Land of our ancestors,)
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux! (Your brow is encircled by glorious florets!)
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée, (For your arm knows how to carry the sword,)
Il sait porter la croix! (It knows how to carry the cross!)
Ton histoire est une épopée (Your history is an epic)
Des plus brillants exploits. (Of the most brilliant feats.)
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée, (And your valour, steeped in faith,)
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits. (Will protect our homes and our rights.)
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits. (Will protect our homes and our rights.)
QUEBEC SIGN LANGUAGE
LANGUE DES SIGNES QUÉBÉCOISE
BILINGUAL (English/French)
The lyrics to the bilingual version of the Canadian anthem can be found below (English translation of the French lyrics are in parentheses):
O Canada!
Our home and/on native land!
True patriot love in all of us command,
Car ton bras sait porter l’épée, (For your arm knows how to carry the sword,)
Il sait porter la croix ! (It knows how to carry the cross!)
Ton histoire est une épopée (Your history is an epic)
Des plus brillants exploits, (Of the most brilliant feats,)
God, keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Canada’s national anthem, is typically sung at public events like national and international sports games, Canada Day ceremonies, and sometimes elementary school and high school assemblies. Where the event is held will usually determine which version of the anthem will be performed and/or sung: Anglo-Canadian regions generally favour the English version and French Canadian regions generally favour the French version. Some events, though, do select the bilingual version, especially if it is a federal one. Even so, both the English and French anthems are, at times, equally performed and/or sung, one after another, at federal events. If these events are televised, the ASL and LSQ versions are sometimes performed on screen alongside their English/French counterparts. This might also happen for live, in-person events.
When attending an event where the national anthem of Canada is being performed, one might notice that many Canadians in the crowd are not singing along but are silent. This is typically done for one of two reasons: 1) singing in Canadian culture is generally seen as something embarrassing if one is not a talented vocalist; 2) remaining silent during a performance of the anthem is a way of showing respect. This does not mean, however, that some Canadians won’t be lip syncing or actually singing along to the national tune. These are equally respectful. In many ways, Canada is a land of choose-your-own-adventure, meaning you get to make the choice as to what you want to do among these options.
What language(s) is your national anthem in? When and where are they performed and/or sung? Do people typically sing along? How do they generally behave during the anthem? Practice your English by letting me know in the comments below.
