[spikecomix]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/03/11/anthem ... index.html

According to CNN, most Americans don't. I can see that as true, while I lived there the Pledge of Allegiance was much more stressed for memorization. I prefer the anthem and I think knowing it is important.

So I wonder, how many of you know the Canadian National Anthem by heart??

[Canadaka]

in elementry school we sang O Canada every morning, alternating between English and French

[Ontario_Born]

I know french, english and the american anthem. I used to make a killing singing at all the hockey games in my town.

[DMP08]

I know it off by heart in English (just like Trevor, in elementary it was sang every day). I learned it in French but could only sing it in french if I am following another person. I miss a few words

[Scarecrow]

I know the English version by heart, but I haven't actually sung it for 3-4 years.

Now every monday morning when the anthem comes on, people just stand there, while the instrumental plays on.

[Juno]

English version no problem.... Used to know the bilingual version, but have not sung it since the early 80's for the opening of BC Place stadium (for Queen Elizabeth, along with a few hundred other school kids) in preparation for Expo 86.

I go to prolly 40 hockey games a year (WHL). Mrs. Juno and I sing it loudly and proudly each time!!!

[canucker]

Juno wrote:

English version no problem.... Used to know the bilingual version, but have not sung it since the early 80's for the opening of BC Place stadium (for Queen Elizabeth, along with a few hundred other school kids) in preparation for Expo 86.

I go to prolly 40 hockey games a year (WHL). Mrs. Juno and I sing it loudly and proudly each time!!!

LOL... same with me I sang for the Queen too at BC Place, maybe we grew up together? And, I think I can hear you too at the Giant's games....

[hamm_y]

I knew how to sing the bilingual version way before knowing the words to it in only English (French immersion school...) but we only ever sang it at the beginning of assemblies.

[canucker]

I was born and grew up as a young child in Ottawa and I went to French Immersion school there so we sang the National Anthem in french every morning. I don't remember it in french now.

[JonnyW]

i have heard it every weekday for the past 13 years of school

[GCStratusfied]

I'm a Brit, and I know both the US and Canadian (English version) off by heart. Unlike the British national anthum because I keep forgetting one of the lines. D'oh! Still, I'm sure Queen Elizabeth II will forgive me because I know a Commonwealth country's anthum instead.

I'm writing this from memory. I have NO other pages up on my desktop:

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!

[RUEZ]

Very good.

[Tman1]

Anybody have to sing "God save the Queen" in Elementary? I had to in Saskatchewan but not in Alberta.

[Canadaka]

yah we sung it sometimes

[michou]

On June 24th, 1880, all French societies in North america were invited to celebrate « Les Canadiens’» national day on the Plains of Abraham in Québec city and together share their common French cultural ties. Acadians, French communities from Ontario and those from 12 American States joined together on that special day and all heard this «French Canadian » anthem for the first time.
Adolphe-Basile Routhier and Calixa Lavallée had been asked to write and compose an anthem for the occasion. An anthem to celebrate and recognize the French people of this land, also known as « Les Canadiens ». French Canadians finally had their own anthem in « Ô Canada ! »

So whenever you sing O Canada, do remember that it was first and foremost sung and written in recognition for the builders of this land, the French people. One hundred years later, the descendants of the British took (stole ?) this anthem as their own and have ever since used it as a unity symbol against the very people it was first dedicated to.

How amusing indeed when someone’s patriotism is built on the back of someone else’s. I’d be ashamed. Aren’t you ?

Ô Canada! 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.


p.s.: my post is not meant to inflame anyone. I'm just stating the historical facts of Canada's "new" national anthem. Don't forget that until a few decades ago, you were all still signing "God Save the King (or Queen)" while French Canadians had already been signing "Ô Canada" for a hundred years.