Remembrance Day in Retirement

Is Our National Anthem “O Canada” Politically Correct?

The English version of the Canadian national anthem took years to get to the wording it has now.  When World War I broke out in 1914, "O Canada" was the patriotic song sung by the young soldiers going off to war.  Those supporting Canada’s involvement in the Great War must have stood proud as they sang the words.  It was a long time though before “O Canada” actually became the country’s national anthem.

The music for “O Canada” was composed by Calixa Lavallee in 1880.  The French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier as a hymn for the great "Congrès national des Canadiens-Français" in 1880.  The French version has never changed.

Stanley Weir, a Canadian judge, wrote the English version of the poem, “O Canada”, in 1908.   In 1927 it was adopted as the official song in Canadian schools and for use at public functions.  That year was the Diamond Jubilee of Canada’s Confederation.  The words were slightly changed over the years. The most popular version in the English speaking school system became the following:

"O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all our son’s command.
With glowing heart’s we see thee rise,
The True North, strong and free;
And stand on guard, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.

Refrain

O Canada

Glorious and free
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.”

The wording was changed slightly again in 1968 but it wasn’t until 1980 that the Secretary of State of Canada presented a bill that "Oh Canada" be proclaimed as Canada's national anthem.  The House of Commons and the Senate unanimously accepted the bill. Royal assent was given the same day and it was finally presented as our national anthem on July 1, 1980. The new English version was as follows:

"O Canada! our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy son’s 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."

It is interesting that during the time prayers were being taken out of schools all across Canada, the word “God” was introduced into our national anthem.

Over the years, patriotism in Canada has faded.  The importance of our national anthem and what it stands for has lost some clout.  Event organizers can decide if “O Canada” is sung at the beginning or end of the ceremony.  There’s no hard and fast rule.  It is expected that people stand for the singing of the anthem and it’s traditional that civilians remove their hats out of respect for our country.  It’s obvious that many people haven’t cared or just haven’t known what they should be doing.

When the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver were held, there was a definite change in the way Canadians thought about “O Canada.” A resurgence of pride for our country happened.  People were re-learning the words to “O Canada” and singing loudly and proudly every chance they get.

With that resurgence have come the questions.  Because people now know the words, they can question the words.  Conservative Canadians are well-known for trying to be politically correct.

Maybe it is time to look beyond political correctness and really understand what the words represent.  We are so lucky to live in a free country where we can question whatever we want and make changes if the majority of people agree.

On November 11^th remember how lucky we are, be proud singing our anthem, and say thank you to those who gave their lives for our freedom!