History O Canada

adolphe-basile routhier c. 1890

the original french lyrics of o canada written sir adolphe-basile routhier, music composed calixa lavallée, french canadian patriotic song saint-jean-baptiste society , first performed on june 24, 1880, @ saint-jean-baptiste day banquet in quebec city. @ time, chant national , routhier, popular amongst francophones anthem, while god save queen , maple leaf forever had, since 1867, been competing unofficial national anthems in english canada. o canada joined fray when group of school children sang 1901 tour of canada duke , duchess of cornwall (later king george v , queen mary). first known performance of song outside quebec.

the house lavallée lived on first moving quebec city in 1878

five years later, whaley , royce company in toronto, ontario, published music french text , first translation english thomas bedford richardson and, in 1908, collier s weekly magazine held competition write new english lyrics o canada . competition won mercy e. powell mcculloch, version never gained wide acceptance. in fact, many made english translations of routhier s words; however, popular version created in 1908 robert stanley weir, lawyer , recorder of city of montreal. modified version officially published diamond jubilee of confederation in 1927, , gradually became accepted , performed version of song.

the tune thought have become de facto national anthem after king george vi remained @ attention during playing @ dedication of national war memorial in ottawa, ontario, on may 21, 1939; though george following precedent set brother, edward, previous king of canada, when dedicated canadian national vimy memorial in france in 1936. still, by-laws , practices governing use of song during public events in municipalities varied; in toronto, god save queen employed, while in montreal o canada .

prime minister lester b. pearson in 1964 said 1 song have chosen country s national anthem , government resolved form joint committee review status of 2 musical works. next year, pearson put house of commons motion government authorized take such steps may necessary provide o canada shall national anthem of canada while god save queen shall royal anthem of canada, of parliament approved. in 1967, prime minister advised governor general georges vanier appoint special joint committee of senate , house of commons on national , royal anthems; group first met in february and, within 2 months, on april 12, 1967, presented conclusion o canada should designated national anthem , god save queen royal anthem of canada, 1 verse each, in both official languages, adopted parliament. group charged establishing official lyrics each song. o canada , robert stanley weir version of 1908 recommended, few minor changes, english words; 2 of stand on guard phrases replaced far , wide , god keep our land.

still, not until 1970 queen of canada purchased right lyrics , music of o canada —from gordon v. thompson music $1—and 1980 before song became official national anthem via national anthem act. act established religious reference english lyrics , phrase far , wide, o canada replace 1 of repetitions of phrase stand on guard. change controversial traditionalists and, several years afterwards, not uncommon hear people still singing old lyrics @ public events. in contrast, french version has never been changed original.

second , third stanzas: historical refrain

a page hymns of christian life, 1962, depicting long-standing refrain lyrics o canada , not original

below different versions of second , third stanzas , chorus, plus additional fourth stanza. these sung.

o canada! pines , maples grow.
great prairies spread , lordly rivers flow.
how dear thy broad domain,
from east western sea.
thou land of hope toil!
thou true north, strong , free!


chorus:

god keep our land glorious , free!
o canada, stand on guard thee.
o canada, stand on guard thee.




o canada! beneath thy shining skies
may stalwart sons, , gentle maidens rise,
to keep thee steadfast through years
from east western sea.
our own beloved native land!
our true north, strong , free!




chorus




ruler supreme, hearest humble prayer,
hold our dominion in thy loving care;
help find, o god, in thee
a lasting, rich reward,
as waiting better day,
we ever stand on guard.




chorus



original french version

the first verse same. other verses follow.