O CANADA

Our National Anthem

"O Canada" is our National Anthem and is this country's best known and most loved song

"O Canada" is our National Anthem and is this country's best known and most loved song.

Composed in 1880 by the then well-known Canadian musician and composer Calixa Lavallée.

This music was a patriotic song for that year's St. Jean-Baptiste Day ceremony, however the first lyrics that were composed for the song were written in French by Sir Adolphe Basile Routhier in 1880, for the same ceremony.

In 1906 this song was translated into English, but it was two more years until Mr Justice Robert Stanley Weir wrote the English lyrics, which are not a translation of the French version.

Weir's words were altered in 1914 and again in 1980 to their present form, although the French lyrics remain unaltered.

Chosen in 1980 as the National Anthem, when it was signed into law during the Canada Day celebrations that year.

It was modified, along with the Royal Anthem of Canada, "God Save the Queen", to be part of the Vice Regal Salute.

As every school child knows, our National Anthem is sung in schools across this country each morning before the start of classes, usually just the first verse.

Below you will find the complete versions in both French and English.

There is no specific rule as to when it is appropriate to sing the national anthem at a public event and it is up to the organizers to determine if the National Anthem will be sung at the beginning or at the end of a ceremony.

If two anthems are to be played at the beginning of an international event, then "O Canada" should be played first, followed by the anthem of the other country.

When anthems are played at the end of an event, for example a game where the other team are from another country, "O-Canada" should be the final anthem played.

As a matter of respect and tradition, it is proper to stand for the playing of our National Anthem, as well as for the anthem of any other nation.

It is traditional for civilian men to take off their hats during the playing of the National Anthem. Women as well as children do not remove their hats on such occasions.

There is no law or behaviour governing the playing of the national anthem; it is left to the good citizenship of individuals.

O Canada, English Lyrics 

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!
Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada! Where pines and maples grow,
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow,
How dear to us thy broad domain,
From East to Western Sea,
Thou land of hope, for all who toil!
Thou True North strong and free!
God keep our land glorious and free!
Oh Canada! We stand on guard for thee!
Oh Canada! We stand on guard for thee!

O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies,
May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise,
To keep thee steadfast through the years,
From East to Western Sea,
Our own beloved native land!
Our True North strong and free!
God keep our land glorious and free!
Oh Canada! We stand on guard for thee!
Oh Canada! We stand on guard for thee!

Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion within thy loving care;
Help us to find, O God, in thee
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day,
We ever stand on guard.
God keep our land glorious and free!
Oh Canada! We stand on guard for thee!
Oh Canada! We stand on guard for thee!

O Canada, French Lyrics

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.

Sous l'oeil de Dieu près du fleuve géant,
Le canadien grandit en espérant,
Il est né d'une race fière,
Béni fut son berceau,
Le ciel a marqué sa carrière,
dans ce monde nouveau.
Toujours guidé par sa lumière.
Il gardera l'honneur de son drapeau.
Il gardera l'honneur de son drapeau.

De son patron, précurseur du vrai Dieu,
Il porte au front l'auréole de feu;
Ennemi de la tyrannie,
Mais plein de loyauté,
Il veut garder dans l'harmonie
Sa fière liberté.
Et par l'effort de son génie,
Sur notre Sol asseoir la vérité,
Sur notre Sol asseoir la vérité!

Amour sacré du trône et de l'autel
Remplis nos coeurs de ton souffle immortel.
Parmi les races étrangères
Notre guide est la foi;
Sachons être un peuple de frères,
Sous le joug de la loi;
Et répétons comme nos pères
Le cri vainqueur: «Pour le Christ et le Roi»
Le cri vainqueur: «Pour le Christ et le Roi».