Each country has its own anthem that is dedicated to its unique culture, people and heritage.

Pragya, Canada Hustle

“O Canada” is the Canadian national anthem. It shouldn’t be confused with the royal anthem, “God Save The Queen.” The national anthem came to be in 1980, relatively new compared to many other countries’ national anthems. It is popularly heard during famed hockey matches, and it contains a lot of Canadian pride.

“O Canada” is available in French and English lyrics. It taught the French and the Canadians about love, empathy, and camaraderie. There are many mysteries behind the “O Canada” anthem, which will surprise you a bit because there were a lot of boycotts regarding this anthem. I want you to gain some insight into the true story of the “O Canada,” which will make your heart and mind wonder how it came to be.

1. How Did the ‘O Canada’ Come into Being?

As I told you, “O Canada” was first presented in French lyrics. Calixa Lavallee of Quebec wrote it in 1802 and sang it with a piano melody at a concert. Later, when John Douglas and Lorne of France went on their tour to Quebec, they paid attention to the French lyrics “O Canada” and later told the Governor of Canada about the lyrics. The Canadian government, along with his wife Victoria and daughter (Princess Louise), wanted to make the original French lyrics written in Quebec their official lyrics. Still, it was not in the English version, so the government introduced the lyrics in English.

Many writers started doing English translations of “O Canada,” but no one became popular. Later, Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier converted the “O Canada” lyrics into English and gained popularity all over Canada. “O Canada” is also known as the royal anthem because it corresponds to the anthem of the Kings. Finally, the lyrics to “O Canada” were sung by some hockey celebrities, making the anthem more popular.

2. History 

Its history is most interesting, as it tells you how important it is to its exploits. “O Canada,” was written in two languages. I must tell you about the people behind this anthem. It’s quite interesting-

• Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier first completed these lyrics in English with music composer Calixa Lavallee, along with the help of a beautiful choir with piano. With the arrival of these lyrics, they gained popularity very quickly.
• The writer repeatedly wrote Routhier’s lyrics in French in the English version, but it did not become as popular.
• Finally, when Montreal lawyer Robert Stanley Weir wrote the English version of these lyrics, they became very popular. Weir’s English lyrics became the favourite in Canada. But its lyrics were not accepted even then.

Earlier, Routhier had written the songs “God Save the Queen” and “The Maple Leaf Forever.” However, “God Save the Queen” was declared Canada’s royal anthem. When King George visited Canada, it saluted the national anthem.

This anthem was approved as an unofficial anthem in Parliament in 1967. But, in 1980, “O Canada” was approved as a national anthem under the National Anthem Act. “O Canada” was made a rule under the National Anthem Act that no one can copy its lyrics, which shows the respect of the French and Canadian people. “O Canada,” written by Routhier and Weir, was finally declared Canada’s official national anthem on June 18, 1980. The Canadian anthem is the instrumental version.

But, on June 27, 1980, under the National Anthem Act, it was considered necessary to change the lyrics of “O Canada.” And he made two changes to the lyrics of “O Canada,” “Our home and native land,” “from far and wide,” and “God keeps our land.”

Where “Native Land” meant everyone living in Canada, even if he did not have a native place here, he thought of making changes here and changed “God keep our land” to “stand on guard.” With the help of some of its votes, the Canadian government thought of making more changes and changing “in all thy sons command” to “in all of us command. In Weir’s lyrics, “True patriot love in all thy sons command” was changed to “True patriot love in all of us command.”

3. Official Declaration

“O Canada” original lyrics were first written in the French language. After the “O Canada” English translation, the Canadian government and some of its writers changed the English lyrics because it was right for Canada to make this change. After making changes to the anthem, it was finally declared the official national anthem of Canada on July 1, 1980. The “O Canada” anthem speaks on Canada’s glorious deeds, gentle maidens’ rise, and glowing hearts and says to everyone – Canada, our home and native land stand on guard. And guard for thee for your own beloved native land. 

The Anthem has shown true patriot love for its native land while giving great importance to its glorious land. You must have guessed that the lyrics of Canadian anthems express an immense desire for unity and strength. And all together, they say, “Canada, we stand.” Canadians stick together and rise together stronger than ever in their unity.

I am sure you are now keenly interested to the definition of ‘O Canada.’ It is that we stand on guard for thee, which increases the value of true patriot love of the soldier from the military for their country. The lyrics of the Canadian anthem also strive for freedom for all the residents here to feel strong and independent. The Canadian anthem speaks of Thou True North along the western sea from the east, saying that True North is strong and free. And we are seeing the rise of glowing hearts.

“Thee rise and take your country to new heights”

Let me tell you an interesting fact- many people don’t don’t know that there are four verses in Canada National Anthem. Check this video to listen to the full version-

Last Updated on April 22, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani