I first heard the Canadian anthem growing up in the 1960s watching NY Ranger hockey telecasts over local stations WPIX and later WOR. (The NHL did not then have a national network TV contract.) It would be played or sung when the Rangers were visiting Toronto or Montreal, which were the two franchises based in Canada at a time when there were still only six teams in the NHL. I didn’t know one note from another, but as a kid I did much prefer O Canada to our own anthem – much easier to sing.
I agree with you -- and the range of the Star-Spangled Banner, from middle C to high F, is kind of ridiculous. O Canada is far more melodic, and it has interesting sharps in its harmonic arrangement...
Let’s just say it’s very touchy because today, st Jean baptiste day is a major Quebec separatist holiday, and very hostile to the anthem initially written for its celebration. Oh, Canada…
It's sad. I think that the Quebecois should amend the motto that appears on their license plates. "Je me souviens" -- really? And what do they remember? Better this, alas: "J'ai oublie."
That would be a good motto for us all these days! Just like Harvard’s “Veritas,” “je me souviens” began as an obviously Christian statement made by an openly Christian people, and today represents instead secular enemies of Christ. don’t get me started… I think it’s been downhill since Canada replaced its flag - the one that so many men bravely fought and died for in two world wars - with a meaningless corporate logo by committee. It would be like us replacing Old Glory with a big Nike swoosh.
Last week I commended "The Castle," a film about an Australian individual standing guard for his rights against the blob. Right next to it on my DVD shelf is "Still Mine," with James Cromwell and Genevieve Bujold. It strikes me that this touching film about a couple facing dementia, is a testament to the line: "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee." I write this btw from Sewickley, PA, whose most famous resident is Mario Lemieux (and for a time Sidney Crosby) who singlehandedly saved our hockey team so that we might hear the anthem sung periodically.
I first heard the Canadian anthem growing up in the 1960s watching NY Ranger hockey telecasts over local stations WPIX and later WOR. (The NHL did not then have a national network TV contract.) It would be played or sung when the Rangers were visiting Toronto or Montreal, which were the two franchises based in Canada at a time when there were still only six teams in the NHL. I didn’t know one note from another, but as a kid I did much prefer O Canada to our own anthem – much easier to sing.
I agree with you -- and the range of the Star-Spangled Banner, from middle C to high F, is kind of ridiculous. O Canada is far more melodic, and it has interesting sharps in its harmonic arrangement...
the French fourth verse is so beautiful, both in form and content.
Born and raised in Montreal, we always sang a bilingual version, as such:
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.
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,
And stand on guard, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee!
Refrain. O Canada! glorious and free!
We stand on guard, we stand on guard for thee!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
All of which to say I know the beginning French part by heart but have never heard anything like the “ Et ta valeur” and subsequent lines in my life!
If you are interested in this song, please don’t miss Mark Steyn’s essay about it, here:
https://www.steynonline.com/15247/o-canada
Let’s just say it’s very touchy because today, st Jean baptiste day is a major Quebec separatist holiday, and very hostile to the anthem initially written for its celebration. Oh, Canada…
It's sad. I think that the Quebecois should amend the motto that appears on their license plates. "Je me souviens" -- really? And what do they remember? Better this, alas: "J'ai oublie."
That would be a good motto for us all these days! Just like Harvard’s “Veritas,” “je me souviens” began as an obviously Christian statement made by an openly Christian people, and today represents instead secular enemies of Christ. don’t get me started… I think it’s been downhill since Canada replaced its flag - the one that so many men bravely fought and died for in two world wars - with a meaningless corporate logo by committee. It would be like us replacing Old Glory with a big Nike swoosh.
Quebec was once a deeply Catholic land, but since the 1960s has become deeply irreligious. Has anyone attempted to rewrite the French version?
Of all the hockey games I have watched over the years I don’t recall ever hearing the French version sung. I wonder why? Not even in Quebec.
It is too religious. Simple as that. ::(.
Last week I commended "The Castle," a film about an Australian individual standing guard for his rights against the blob. Right next to it on my DVD shelf is "Still Mine," with James Cromwell and Genevieve Bujold. It strikes me that this touching film about a couple facing dementia, is a testament to the line: "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee." I write this btw from Sewickley, PA, whose most famous resident is Mario Lemieux (and for a time Sidney Crosby) who singlehandedly saved our hockey team so that we might hear the anthem sung periodically.
The Penguins! And you must know my old friend David Mills, who lives in Leetsdale, which I think is a part of Sewickley?