For me, an emotional moment was when a young Cree girl sang the national anthem at an Edmonton Oilers game in the Cree language. Millions of Canadians felt the emotion, even people with no experience of First Nations culture. It was a moment of national understanding.
@@robertjulianagnel1100 Thanks. Since that first time, I've heard it sung in several First Nations languages and Inuktitut. This version you linked is in the far westernmost dialect of Cree, a bit hard for Ontario or Quebec Cree-speakers to follow, but it was still very nice.
Thank you for this comment. I will look it up for sure. I love the various cultures and North American indigenous peoples. I’ve been to a number of reservations here in the US and a Mayan village in Mexico where most of the people didn’t even speak Spanish. I have learned a fair amount of history of native nations. Of course it’s a sad and tragic history as well as a a brilliant and rich history. Thanks again for the information.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 A wonderful video featuring the Canadian National Anthem is the "Freedom Convoy Tribute - We Stand on Guard/O Canada by Summit Sounds" from vlogger JB TwoFour. The singer from Summit Sounds also sings the second stanza from O Canada in English as well as the French version you highlighted. An amazing tribute for the Freedom Convoy and the friendship between Canada and US truckers/people is highlighted.
The original version (the French one) was meant as a "Québec" national anthem before 1840 canadiens only referred to the French speakers of Canada the rest of the country considered themselves British still. Therefore, the French version only is relevant to Québec with the strong reference to faith (especially in the second verse which is not sang) the last part "Protégera nos foyers et nos droits" means a lot more in that contexte where Québec to this day uses "le droit civil" (based on the previous French laws) as opposed to the "common law" (based on previous British laws) which was something that was "given" to Québec along with Catholic rights to keep it from joining the american revolution and keep the peace. Also fun fact the "bilingual version(s)" is different in Québec because lets be honest the "official bilingual version" only sandwiched 3 verses in the middle of the otherwise English version. In Québec's version the beginning of it is in French with 6 out of 9 verses in French and only the last 3 in English (same treatment but reversed and well it makes more sense to only switch language once).
Ah, they did the same here with the Star Spangled Banner . I remember falling asleep to a show and I woke up when the static snow came on the screen when the anthem finished.
My signoff story is that I came home late one Saturday from the bars and turned on the TV and in a few minutes (after the movie Slap Shot) the signoff played. I thought that looks familiar, and that looks familiar. What had happened was they had taken a bunch of my shots to build the signoff and I didn't know. It was kinda my legacy because I left to go back to school not much later and it was played for years. It's still on RUclips
I actually learned the French version first as I was in French immersion at school. Every morning we’d stand, face the flag and sing the anthem in French. I learned the English version watching hockey.
You did remarkably well with your best-guess translation! I’m impressed. You might be interested that in the English version, where it says “true patriot love in all ‘thy sons’ command”, in the last year or so, those two words have been amended to “in all of us command”. I’m glad to see that even national anthems can evolve to reflect our expanding and maturing consciousness. I’m glad I happened on your channel. I enjoyed your articulate, thoughtful comments, and I’ve subscribed. Thank you. 😊
When i was in elementary school, every morning started with O Canada, God Save The Queen and the Lords prayer. Every day was a different variation of O Canada English, French, then a combination then just the music. When we started Jr High The Queen and Lords prayer were dropped but O,Canada stayed.
I signed “O Canada” at my old high school’s talent show in 2017 (I believe). The anthem is so pretty in sign language. P.S. I’m Canadian and I was curious if an American knew the Canadian anthem. So, when you took a crack at it in your other video, I was pleasantly surprised. You know more than I expected. You were so close to getting the right words in the anthem. You were just a little bit off. Very well done!
Wow, thanks for this comment. I was at a concert this past summer at Red Rocks Colorado. There was a hearing impaired section right up front near the big speakers, presumably so they can feel the vibrations of the music. Anyway, there was a signer so enthusiastically signing the lyrics and moving her body to the music. I thought it was amazing. Sorry for this ignorant question, but is Canadian sign language the same as American? I know the British have a different sign language than we have her in the US. Anyway, thanks for watching and for joining the conversation.
In Canada, there are two commonly used sign languages: American Sign Language (ASL) which is used in Anglophone communities and Langue des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) which is used in Francophone communities.@@johnf-americanreacts1287
Thanks for checking out our beautiful anthem, growing up we always sang O'Canada in school. They did change the anthem somewhat recently from "all our son's command" to "all of us command". I do remember when the anthem was sung in Cree and it was very beautiful, very emotional as well. Thank you for another great video, love your channel, keep them coming.
Hi John, This was a very interesting side trip into the history of they origin of "O Canada" and it has some surprises. I grew up in western Canada, part of a large family that is, in part, "Alberta Francophone." Now, the French spoken by my Great Aunts and cousins comes (more or less) in a line from some of the earliest fur traders, who either "took their leave" (unofficially) from one or the other of the two companies that traded in beaver from the 1760's - 1820's and through much of the 19th Century. It's not a variant of French that is easily understood in Quebec (pr {Paris). Quebecois has really developed into a separate dialect, also with historic roots. Interestingly, on my one visit to the French province generally known as "Brittany" (where Mont. St. Michel is - oof, what a climb!), I found that the Franco-Albertan I was used to was easily understood by the local Breton area residents, especially in the area along the French coast. I had also had to learn "Parisian French" while in school, and although I was able to get along OK in Paris, except for local slang, the Bretons were not fond of it. (I understand that this 'separation' in Brittany and Normandy is not new - it was already well established before the Napoleonic era!). At any rate, the locals in Brittany were pleased that I spoke their language, even with my Western Canada accent conversation was never a problem. This is a kinder reception than my attempts at conversational French in Quebec have earned, partly because I am marked out as an Albertan. That aside, the lyrics, as originally written in the dialect of the time, are very different in some respects to any of the several (at least 5) English revisions of "O Canada" that have come and gone during my life - lets just say that it's interesting to examine what parts where changed, and how, in both official languages. At the moment, I am about two versions behind as far as the English lyrics go, and this is pretty common and varies with the generation of the singer! In school, we sang "The Maple Leaf Forever" and we still had the Red Ensign. Many people here believe that the song "One Warm Line" by the late Stan Rogers is perhaps a more fitting, and more reflective vision of this country - "a land so wild [or wide, or white - any of those fit the reality] and savage" - because west of Ontario it picks up so many of the historic names, places, stories and experiences. This is still a land that's white and often savage, whether on the Prairies or in the 3 mountain ranges one must cross to reach the Pacific. I actually would be in favour of that, if only because "One Warm Line" is such a magnificent piece to sing unaccompanied - 'a capellla' - a majestic musical statement, and because the lyrics reflect a much larger picture of the country as a whole. I have heard it sung, by large crowds, quite spontaneously - a bit of a thill runs up my spine when I hear that happen, quite unexpectedly. Thank you Stan, wherever you're playing now. However, I have wandered, as sometimes happen. Your research into this was clearly quite thorough, and you delved into a question that, to be honest, had never even occurred to me. So today I have learned something new, and interesting. When Alberta and Saskatchewan form an independent state, as I think will happen quite soon, we may again have occasion to revisit the issue of a national anthem. Originally, the two Provinces were one large one, called 'Buffalo" - and the political heat that culminated in 1905 is still very real here, so I may live to see it. "May we live in interesting times." There is work to be done. Thank you as always, my friend.
A really wonderful thing - O Canada became ubiquitous during the 2010 Olympics, with crowds in the venues, on the streets, in the pubs, on transit...spontaneously breaking into song. It was amazing. My favourite rendition is from one of the concerts - the band tried to sing our national anthem but the crowd immediately took over. :) There's a video: "Bedouin Soundclash - "O Canada" @ Vancouver 2010 Olympics" if you're interested. This stuff chokes me up too.
Believe it or not, the anthem's words have changed twice since 1980. "God keep our land" and "in all of us command" were inserted in place of the 1980 version's phrasing.
For a quintessentially, quirkily Canadian rendition of the national anthem, check out Walk off the Earths version of O Canada at ruclips.net/video/mR2KQghqGW8/видео.html
What is really surprising is where the government is trying to take prayer out of school or a public Gatherings but when you listen to the Canadian national anthem there is a prayer inside the anthem and it goes with the words " God keep our land glorious and free " those words there are the prayer.
A more literal translation of the French lyrics: Land of our ancestors, your forehead bears a crown of glory, for your arm knows how to carry the sword, it knows how to carry faith; your history is a tale of the greatest exploits. And your value, drenched in faith, will protect our homes and our rights.
I haven't scrolled through all the comments to see if this has been addressed yet, but I am most taken with, and have embraced, an 'edit' that was included at last year's NBA All-Star Game. Canadian singer, Jully Black, started to sing....O Canada, our home ON native land, instead of our home AND native land. I am a teacher and my students were over the moon with this change. (Looking beyond the ethics of changing something like the lyrics to an anthem)....there was an overwhelming positive buzz, and continued discussion about this. We will be debating, and fighting for Indigenous Rights for years to come, but the one thing that is factually non-debatable is that we ARE ON NATIVE LAND. One word. It is a moment I won't forget, and I know that a majority of the younger generation have embraced it, and will know nothing BUT this lyric change. Our home ON native land.
Interesting. I am very much a supporter of Native rights and redressing the wrongs of the past and even present. We most definitely are all on native land here in North America.
There were no wrongs. French arrived here and were the only European colonizers to not start war with Natives. They were already at war (Algonquians vs Iroquoiens). We signed la Grande Paix. That change in the National anthem is pure wokism. That anthem should be given back to French Canadians as it was a Catholic patriotic chant for Canadians when “Canadians” meant French Canadian. Psychopath Trudeau father in a sadistic way, turned it against us. The son is now sinking us under mass migration (highest migration per capita in the world).
Why is it native land, they migrated to North America like everyone else. Tribes conquered each other like everyone else. This whole social activist theory thankfully will be thrown to the trash heap of history along with much of the other activist ephemera from the last few years. No one owns the land, here, or anywhere else in the world
Didn't one of the Canadian Tenors go all rogue woke activist and during his solo change the anthem without telling the others. They booted him out of the group the next day.
Roger Doucet, legendary former anthem singer for the Habs changed the wording of the anthem. I believe he just wanted to changes some of the repetitiveness rather than make a political statement
This is not the official English version but the direct translation word for word: French Lyrics With English Translation O, Canada! terre de nos aïeux, O, Canada! Land of our forefathers, Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux. Your brow is girt with glorious fleurons. Car ton bras sait porter l’épée, For your arm knows how to bear the sword, il sait porter la croix. It knows how to bear the cross . Ton histoire est une épopée. Your history is an epic Des plus brillants exploits. Of the most brilliant exploits. Et ta valeur, de foi trempée, And your valor, tempered with faith , Protégera nos foyers et nos droits, Will protect our hearths and our rights ! Protégera nos foyers et nos droits. Will protect our hearths and our rights ! Here is a little lagniappe. There are these short 1 minute heritage minutes that show little stories about Canadian history. This one has the beginning of the one about the music for Oh Canada. It was first performed on St-Jean Baptist Day in Quebec City in 1880. St-Jean-Baptist Day is the unofficial national holiday in Quebec. It a week before Canada Day. The rest of the video shows little snapshots from a selection of the other heritage minutes videos. ruclips.net/video/tphw1LqIo9g/видео.htmlsi=uQO2EmVd2XMz10tB History of Oh Canada en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Canada
There is no two other nations in the world as close as the USA and Canada , We were founded around the same times and both were inspired by creating a new free world , My ancestor Jean Mandeville landed in Sorel-Tracy Québec in 1676 ,45 minutes away from where i still live, Both the French and the English that first landed here were at a point wanting to separate from the British empire and the British/French wars in Europe , and ended up fighting together agains Britain , The French sent troops and ships to aid the patriots in the revolutionary war , All Canadian provinces in south east Québec and New-Brunswick , and all north east states of the US like, Maine, Massachusetts,Vermont , New-Hampshire and New-York have a very large population of families and cities and counties with French Names, All over the US , Detroit is a French name LeMoyne ,Fayette,Mobile,Fayetteville,LaCrosse,LaGrange,Ozark (aux arcs) ,Bel Air,Montague, Orléan, Détroit, Boisé Illinois, Lasalle, Bourbon, Mont Pellier, Napoleon, Notre Dame, Portage, Versailles, Bonaparte, Paris, Baton Rouge, Cadillac, Mandeville, Terrebonne ' We are all related,same as for the western Canadians provinces and the north west US states , We are the same people in the end?
You’d have to get a translation from someone who speaks “old French”,.. the Gaspé area is more traditional French than most areas. The translation you read is pretty close. The beauty of that language is that there are sometimes no decisive words for some things, rather concepts and dream like explanations,.. in 1984, a francophone roommate asked me to “translate/explain “ the song “Stairway to Heaven “,..( wasn’t easy!) She then introduced me to it😢same type of magical song in French Canadian by Francis Cabrel “Je l’aime a mourir “ ! That’s something that I “understand now and can sing” BUT? I could never translate the beauty of the song into English. You could even try to translate their québécois version of happy birthday and that’s not easily done either! 😂 It’s more meaningful than “happy birthday, also. “Mon Chér Jon, c’est ta ton tour,.. “ etc. we miss so much in not learning another language! ♥️
We certainly knew it as the national anthem before 1980..official or not. What i do remember somewhere around that time was the changing of the lyrics to a few verses being sung in french...and we school kids being obliged to learn the "new version"using both languages..not sure its ever done that way now tho,i certainly dont remember how the french verses went anymore
French only is sang in Québec, Québec's bilingual version is used well in Québec only for sports event mostly, the "official" bilingual version is used only in Ottawa that i know of or for governmental events, the English only is used everywhere west of Ottawa. Not sure what they do in New Brunswick tho.
@@AnnapurnaMoffatt which bilingual tho ? If its QHJML probably the French bilingual (6 first verses in French i would imagine) or the 3 versed sandwiched in the middle one ?
I would like to see a video like this explaining your anthem and the history ... and is there any difference with english vs spanish... watching from Nova Scotia Canada
You should also check out the Newfoundland Anthem. Ode to Newfoundland. In Newfoundland we have the second National War Memorial. National Anthem of the Dominion of Newfoundland (1904 - 1949) - Ode to Newfoundland ruclips.net/video/-oSjEK7Q2SE/видео.html I think you might enjoy it as a history buff. We still sing it first here, then O Canada.
Oh yes. You have piqued my interest for sure. Thanks. 😊 . It makes sense Newfoundland would have its own anthem given that it was its own dominion territory (sorry if I’m using the wrong term) until the 1950s I think. Anyway, thanks for sharing this.
Our Country flag was founded in 1967 but our nation was founded in 1867 with the Confederation than much, much later Newfoundland and Labrador joined the Confederation in 1949.
Hi and welcome. Also, thanks for watching. As it happens I’ve made videos about broth those subjects. But I’m always open to learning more from these great comments and love that you all want to participate.
some of the words in the English version were changed over the years to make some people less upset. It used to be "our sons command" but it's more than just sons so it was changed to "all of us command". I believe there are a few other changes for similar reasons.
Son's command was the first world war just like the red stripes on our flag was for two wars.Peiple have to leave the song aline and shive this diversity sh*t up their keister's.
My memory was "in all thy sons command" which I had always interpreted as "in all Thy son's command" The difference for me: Thy (capitalized) I had thought meant "Your" representing "God" While Son's (using the singular possessive) meant the son of God Funny, since I have never read the lyrics, my assumption since I started singing our anthem in elementary school just took a religious understanding.
The French version of O Canada is all different than English version our current English version is more politically correct than what I sang in elementary school in the 60s
Hi John, here is the French/English translation of the French Version: O Canada Land of our elders (ancestors) Your frown is (head held high) with blooming glory, For (your sword arm) you know how to carry the sword, Thy ken (knows) to bear the cross, Your story is thyn epic, of the brightest accomplishments (exploits), And thyn valour, With bloodied faith, [2x] Will protect our homes (country) and our rights. Note the Catholic Idioms here. Thanks for covering both!
Thanks so much for this. It really has made it make more sense to me. BTW, I did notice the Catholic influence and understood why given the Catholic history of French Canada. I grew up Catholic of the Irish and Italian verities. While I respect people for their religious belief (unless used as an excuse to persecute others and infringe on their rights) I do not consider myself Catholic anymore. But I can’t shed some of those Catholic sensibilities. Lol.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 Yeah, the lyrics were written in the 1880's. Since the "quiet revolution" in the 60's most of the French-Canadian diaspora are culturally Catholic; but not religious.
Could please listen to song written by Dave Hatfield brother of Chris Hatfield Canadian astronaut The song is called In Canada, and it speaks to so many Canadian Truisms. Thank you. Greetings from Eastern Ontario
Here is the lyrics below for the bilingual version. This is the new version where "all thy sons command" were changed to "in all of us command". In public school when they played O Canada! over the PA everyday the bilingual version was quite common and many times is sung at junior hockey games in Canada as well. Thanks for the great videos John and always nice seeing and hearing from you. O Canada OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM (Bilingual version) O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all of us command. Car ton bras sait porter l’épée, Il sait porter la croix! Ton histoire est une épopée Des plus brillants exploits. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.@@johnf-americanreacts1287
If you haven't already check out some video of candian and American sports fans sang the other countries national anthem when there was a Mike failure in the arena
Yup, I posted a vid about that simultaneously. Check it out if you are interested. Thanks for letting me know know though. I’m always up for suggestions.
I get it. I was raised Catholic but I no longer consider myself a member of any religion. We don’t have a god reference in our anthem, but we do have it plenty of other places including in the pledge of allegiance, which I don’t like in the first place, but understand the historical reason for it in the wake of a devastating civil war.
For me, an emotional moment was when a young Cree girl sang the national anthem at an Edmonton Oilers game in the Cree language. Millions of Canadians felt the emotion, even people with no experience of First Nations culture. It was a moment of national understanding.
I saw that game. looked for it on youtube but could not find. a really nice cree version on youtube ruclips.net/video/Omru-0Oltlg/видео.html
@@robertjulianagnel1100 Thanks. Since that first time, I've heard it sung in several First Nations languages and Inuktitut. This version you linked is in the far westernmost dialect of Cree, a bit hard for Ontario or Quebec Cree-speakers to follow, but it was still very nice.
Thank you for this comment. I will look it up for sure. I love the various cultures and North American indigenous peoples. I’ve been to a number of reservations here in the US and a Mayan village in Mexico where most of the people didn’t even speak Spanish. I have learned a fair amount of history of native nations. Of course it’s a sad and tragic history as well as a a brilliant and rich history. Thanks again for the information.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 A wonderful video featuring the Canadian National Anthem is the "Freedom Convoy Tribute - We Stand on Guard/O Canada by Summit Sounds" from vlogger JB TwoFour. The singer from Summit Sounds also sings the second stanza from O Canada in English as well as the French version you highlighted. An amazing tribute for the Freedom Convoy and the friendship between Canada and US truckers/people is highlighted.
Wow, for someone who doesnt speak french you quite accurately deciphered the french lyrics!
The original version (the French one) was meant as a "Québec" national anthem before 1840 canadiens only referred to the French speakers of Canada the rest of the country considered themselves British still. Therefore, the French version only is relevant to Québec with the strong reference to faith (especially in the second verse which is not sang) the last part "Protégera nos foyers et nos droits" means a lot more in that contexte where Québec to this day uses "le droit civil" (based on the previous French laws) as opposed to the "common law" (based on previous British laws) which was something that was "given" to Québec along with Catholic rights to keep it from joining the american revolution and keep the peace.
Also fun fact the "bilingual version(s)" is different in Québec because lets be honest the "official bilingual version" only sandwiched 3 verses in the middle of the otherwise English version. In Québec's version the beginning of it is in French with 6 out of 9 verses in French and only the last 3 in English (same treatment but reversed and well it makes more sense to only switch language once).
The word aïeux means ancestors
Hearing the anthem at the end reminded me of the days when TV stations would shut down for the night.
Ah, they did the same here with the Star Spangled Banner . I remember falling asleep to a show and I woke up when the static snow came on the screen when the anthem finished.
My signoff story is that I came home late one Saturday from the bars and turned on the TV and in a few minutes (after the movie Slap Shot) the signoff played. I thought that looks familiar, and that looks familiar. What had happened was they had taken a bunch of my shots to build the signoff and I didn't know. It was kinda my legacy because I left to go back to school not much later and it was played for years. It's still on RUclips
I actually learned the French version first as I was in French immersion at school. Every morning we’d stand, face the flag and sing the anthem in French. I learned the English version watching hockey.
Same here.
You did remarkably well with your best-guess translation! I’m impressed. You might be interested that in the English version, where it says “true patriot love in all ‘thy sons’ command”, in the last year or so, those two words have been amended to “in all of us command”. I’m glad to see that even national anthems can evolve to reflect our expanding and maturing consciousness. I’m glad I happened on your channel. I enjoyed your articulate, thoughtful comments, and I’ve subscribed. Thank you. 😊
For me, Canada has 4 anthems. Oh Canada of course, God Save The Queen, Hockey Night in Canada theme, Bob and Doug McKenzie Ku Lu Ku Ku...
It is now "Figment of Someone's Imagination" Save the King. Not Queen
Fun fact, we actually have 3 official versions of the anthem. English, French and bilingual (switches from English to French then finishes in English)
I didn’t know about the bilingual version. Interesting. Thanks for the info.
_mes respect pour la recherche de la version française_ - my respects for reasearching the French version
When i was in elementary school, every morning started with O Canada, God Save The Queen and the Lords prayer. Every day was a different variation of O Canada English, French, then a combination then just the music. When we started Jr High The Queen and Lords prayer were dropped but O,Canada stayed.
I signed “O Canada” at my old high school’s talent show in 2017 (I believe). The anthem is so pretty in sign language.
P.S.
I’m Canadian and I was curious if an American knew the Canadian anthem. So, when you took a crack at it in your other video, I was pleasantly surprised. You know more than I expected. You were so close to getting the right words in the anthem. You were just a little bit off. Very well done!
I found this version, do you know if the kids are signing in their native languages? ruclips.net/video/gYsMqzOCCxE/видео.html
Wow, thanks for this comment. I was at a concert this past summer at Red Rocks Colorado. There was a hearing impaired section right up front near the big speakers, presumably so they can feel the vibrations of the music. Anyway, there was a signer so enthusiastically signing the lyrics and moving her body to the music. I thought it was amazing. Sorry for this ignorant question, but is Canadian sign language the same as American? I know the British have a different sign language than we have her in the US. Anyway, thanks for watching and for joining the conversation.
In Canada, there are two commonly used sign languages: American Sign Language (ASL) which is used in Anglophone communities and Langue des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) which is used in Francophone communities.@@johnf-americanreacts1287
Thanks for checking out our beautiful anthem, growing up we always sang O'Canada in school. They did change the anthem somewhat recently from "all our son's command" to "all of us command". I do remember when the anthem was sung in Cree and it was very beautiful, very emotional as well. Thank you for another great video, love your channel, keep them coming.
I remember singing God Save The Queen in school before O Canada became a national anthem.
Great job! It's great that you're even looking into our history. We always have the French portion at any event. Especially at Hockey. 🙂
Hi John, This was a very interesting side trip into the history of they origin of "O Canada" and it has some surprises. I grew up in western Canada, part of a large family that is, in part, "Alberta Francophone." Now, the French spoken by my Great Aunts and cousins comes (more or less) in a line from some of the earliest fur traders, who either "took their leave" (unofficially) from one or the other of the two companies that traded in beaver from the 1760's - 1820's and through much of the 19th Century. It's not a variant of French that is easily understood in Quebec (pr {Paris). Quebecois has really developed into a separate dialect, also with historic roots. Interestingly, on my one visit to the French province generally known as "Brittany" (where Mont. St. Michel is - oof, what a climb!), I found that the Franco-Albertan I was used to was easily understood by the local Breton area residents, especially in the area along the French coast. I had also had to learn "Parisian French" while in school, and although I was able to get along OK in Paris, except for local slang, the Bretons were not fond of it. (I understand that this 'separation' in Brittany and Normandy is not new - it was already well established before the Napoleonic era!).
At any rate, the locals in Brittany were pleased that I spoke their language, even with my Western Canada accent conversation was never a problem. This is a kinder reception than my attempts at conversational French in Quebec have earned, partly because I am marked out as an Albertan.
That aside, the lyrics, as originally written in the dialect of the time, are very different in some respects to any of the several (at least 5) English revisions of "O Canada" that have come and gone during my life - lets just say that it's interesting to examine what parts where changed, and how, in both official languages. At the moment, I am about two versions behind as far as the English lyrics go, and this is pretty common and varies with the generation of the singer! In school, we sang "The Maple Leaf Forever" and we still had the Red Ensign.
Many people here believe that the song "One Warm Line" by the late Stan Rogers is perhaps a more fitting, and more reflective vision of this country - "a land so wild [or wide, or white - any of those fit the reality] and savage" - because west of Ontario it picks up so many of the historic names, places, stories and experiences. This is still a land that's white and often savage, whether on the Prairies or in the 3 mountain ranges one must cross to reach the Pacific. I actually would be in favour of that, if only because "One Warm Line" is such a magnificent piece to sing unaccompanied - 'a capellla' - a majestic musical statement, and because the lyrics reflect a much larger picture of the country as a whole. I have heard it sung, by large crowds, quite spontaneously - a bit of a thill runs up my spine when I hear that happen, quite unexpectedly. Thank you Stan, wherever you're playing now.
However, I have wandered, as sometimes happen. Your research into this was clearly quite thorough, and you delved into a question that, to be honest, had never even occurred to me. So today I have learned something new, and interesting. When Alberta and Saskatchewan form an independent state, as I think will happen quite soon, we may again have occasion to revisit the issue of a national anthem. Originally, the two Provinces were one large one, called 'Buffalo" - and the political heat that culminated in 1905 is still very real here, so I may live to see it. "May we live in interesting times." There is work to be done. Thank you as always, my friend.
Quebec will separate before. Referendums are back in convos by politicians
A really wonderful thing - O Canada became ubiquitous during the 2010 Olympics, with crowds in the venues, on the streets, in the pubs, on transit...spontaneously breaking into song. It was amazing. My favourite rendition is from one of the concerts - the band tried to sing our national anthem but the crowd immediately took over. :) There's a video: "Bedouin Soundclash - "O Canada" @ Vancouver 2010 Olympics" if you're interested. This stuff chokes me up too.
I loved that Olympics and felt it was special because it was in Canada, our neighbor and friend. Same with Calgary.
Thank you, good day
Believe it or not, the anthem's words have changed twice since 1980. "God keep our land" and "in all of us command" were inserted in place of the 1980 version's phrasing.
Thank you from Quebec new sub. Merci longue vie a vous tous.
For a quintessentially, quirkily Canadian rendition of the national anthem, check out Walk off the Earths version of O Canada at ruclips.net/video/mR2KQghqGW8/видео.html
What is really surprising is where the government is trying to take prayer out of school or a public Gatherings but when you listen to the Canadian national anthem there is a prayer inside the anthem and it goes with the words " God keep our land glorious and free " those words there are the prayer.
Just a FYI In Canada we often use the first and last verse in English and the middle one in french...
A more literal translation of the French lyrics: Land of our ancestors, your forehead bears a crown of glory, for your arm knows how to carry the sword, it knows how to carry faith; your history is a tale of the greatest exploits. And your value, drenched in faith, will protect our homes and our rights.
It knows how to carry the cross, not faith.
I haven't scrolled through all the comments to see if this has been addressed yet, but I am most taken with, and have embraced, an 'edit' that was included at last year's NBA All-Star Game. Canadian singer, Jully Black, started to sing....O Canada, our home ON native land, instead of our home AND native land. I am a teacher and my students were over the moon with this change. (Looking beyond the ethics of changing something like the lyrics to an anthem)....there was an overwhelming positive buzz, and continued discussion about this. We will be debating, and fighting for Indigenous Rights for years to come, but the one thing that is factually non-debatable is that we ARE ON NATIVE LAND. One word. It is a moment I won't forget, and I know that a majority of the younger generation have embraced it, and will know nothing BUT this lyric change. Our home ON native land.
Interesting. I am very much a supporter of Native rights and redressing the wrongs of the past and even present. We most definitely are all on native land here in North America.
There were no wrongs. French arrived here and were the only European colonizers to not start war with Natives. They were already at war (Algonquians vs Iroquoiens). We signed la Grande Paix. That change in the National anthem is pure wokism. That anthem should be given back to French Canadians as it was a Catholic patriotic chant for Canadians when “Canadians” meant French Canadian. Psychopath Trudeau father in a sadistic way, turned it against us. The son is now sinking us under mass migration (highest migration per capita in the world).
Why is it native land, they migrated to North America like everyone else. Tribes conquered each other like everyone else. This whole social activist theory thankfully will be thrown to the trash heap of history along with much of the other activist ephemera from the last few years. No one owns the land, here, or anywhere else in the world
Didn't one of the Canadian Tenors go all rogue woke activist and during his solo change the anthem without telling the others. They booted him out of the group the next day.
Roger Doucet, legendary former anthem singer for the Habs changed the wording of the anthem. I believe he just wanted to changes some of the repetitiveness rather than make a political statement
Well done John 👍
This is not the official English version but the direct translation word for word:
French Lyrics With English Translation
O, Canada! terre de nos aïeux, O, Canada! Land of our forefathers,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux. Your brow is girt with glorious fleurons.
Car ton bras sait porter l’épée, For your arm knows how to bear the sword,
il sait porter la croix. It knows how to bear the cross .
Ton histoire est une épopée. Your history is an epic
Des plus brillants exploits. Of the most brilliant exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée, And your valor, tempered with faith ,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits, Will protect our hearths and our rights !
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits. Will protect our hearths and our rights !
Here is a little lagniappe. There are these short 1 minute heritage minutes that show little stories about Canadian history. This one has the beginning of the one about the music for Oh Canada. It was first performed on St-Jean Baptist Day in Quebec City in 1880. St-Jean-Baptist Day is the unofficial national holiday in Quebec. It a week before Canada Day. The rest of the video shows little snapshots from a selection of the other heritage minutes videos. ruclips.net/video/tphw1LqIo9g/видео.htmlsi=uQO2EmVd2XMz10tB
History of Oh Canada
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Canada
There is no two other nations in the world as close as the USA and Canada ,
We were founded around the same times and both were inspired by creating a new free world ,
My ancestor Jean Mandeville landed in Sorel-Tracy Québec in 1676 ,45 minutes away from where i still live,
Both the French and the English that first landed here were at a point wanting to separate from the British empire and the British/French wars in Europe , and ended up fighting together agains Britain ,
The French sent troops and ships to aid the patriots in the revolutionary war ,
All Canadian provinces in south east Québec and New-Brunswick , and all north east states of the US like, Maine, Massachusetts,Vermont , New-Hampshire and New-York have a very large population of families and cities and counties with French Names,
All over the US ,
Detroit is a French name
LeMoyne ,Fayette,Mobile,Fayetteville,LaCrosse,LaGrange,Ozark (aux arcs) ,Bel Air,Montague, Orléan,
Détroit,
Boisé
Illinois,
Lasalle,
Bourbon,
Mont Pellier,
Napoleon,
Notre Dame,
Portage,
Versailles,
Bonaparte,
Paris,
Baton Rouge,
Cadillac,
Mandeville,
Terrebonne '
We are all related,same as for the western Canadians provinces and the north west US states ,
We are the same people in the end?
You’d have to get a translation from someone who speaks “old French”,.. the Gaspé area is more traditional French than most areas. The translation you read is pretty close. The beauty of that language is that there are sometimes no decisive words for some things, rather concepts and dream like explanations,.. in 1984, a francophone roommate asked me to “translate/explain “ the song “Stairway to Heaven “,..( wasn’t easy!) She then introduced me to it😢same type of magical song in French Canadian by Francis Cabrel “Je l’aime a mourir “ ! That’s something that I “understand now and can sing” BUT? I could never translate the beauty of the song into English. You could even try to translate their québécois version of happy birthday and that’s not easily done either! 😂 It’s more meaningful than “happy birthday, also. “Mon Chér Jon, c’est ta ton tour,.. “ etc. we miss so much in not learning another language! ♥️
We certainly knew it as the national anthem before 1980..official or not. What i do remember somewhere around that time was the changing of the lyrics to a few verses being sung in french...and we school kids being obliged to learn the "new version"using both languages..not sure its ever done that way now tho,i certainly dont remember how the french verses went anymore
French only is sang in Québec, Québec's bilingual version is used well in Québec only for sports event mostly, the "official" bilingual version is used only in Ottawa that i know of or for governmental events, the English only is used everywhere west of Ottawa. Not sure what they do in New Brunswick tho.
@@jeanjacques9365 I'm from NB, and I've heard both the English and bilingual versions here.
@@AnnapurnaMoffatt which bilingual tho ? If its QHJML probably the French bilingual (6 first verses in French i would imagine) or the 3 versed sandwiched in the middle one ?
I would like to see a video like this explaining your anthem and the history ... and is there any difference with english vs spanish... watching from Nova Scotia Canada
When I was young I could only say the National Anthem in French although I speak English.
In respect to national anthems, you should check out Angelica Hale singing the American one in Ottawa.
You should also check out the Newfoundland Anthem. Ode to Newfoundland. In Newfoundland we have the second National War Memorial. National Anthem of the Dominion of Newfoundland (1904 - 1949) - Ode to Newfoundland ruclips.net/video/-oSjEK7Q2SE/видео.html I think you might enjoy it as a history buff. We still sing it first here, then O Canada.
Oh yes. You have piqued my interest for sure. Thanks. 😊 . It makes sense Newfoundland would have its own anthem given that it was its own dominion territory (sorry if I’m using the wrong term) until the 1950s I think. Anyway, thanks for sharing this.
Our Country flag was founded in 1967 but our nation was founded in 1867 with the Confederation than much, much later Newfoundland and Labrador joined the Confederation in 1949.
Hi and welcome. Also, thanks for watching. As it happens I’ve made videos about broth those subjects. But I’m always open to learning more from these great comments and love that you all want to participate.
some of the words in the English version were changed over the years to make some people less upset. It used to be "our sons command" but it's more than just sons so it was changed to "all of us command". I believe there are a few other changes for similar reasons.
Son's command was the first world war just like the red stripes on our flag was for two wars.Peiple have to leave the song aline and shive this diversity sh*t up their keister's.
My memory was "in all thy sons command" which I had always interpreted as "in all Thy son's command"
The difference for me:
Thy (capitalized) I had thought meant "Your" representing "God"
While
Son's (using the singular possessive) meant the son of God
Funny, since I have never read the lyrics, my assumption since I started singing our anthem in elementary school just took a religious understanding.
The French version of O Canada is all different than English version our current English version is more politically correct than what I sang in elementary school in the 60s
Hi John, here is the French/English translation of the French Version:
O Canada
Land of our elders (ancestors)
Your frown is (head held high) with blooming glory,
For (your sword arm) you know how to carry the sword,
Thy ken (knows) to bear the cross,
Your story is thyn epic,
of the brightest accomplishments (exploits),
And thyn valour,
With bloodied faith,
[2x]
Will protect our homes (country) and our rights.
Note the Catholic Idioms here.
Thanks for covering both!
Thanks so much for this. It really has made it make more sense to me. BTW, I did notice the Catholic influence and understood why given the Catholic history of French Canada. I grew up Catholic of the Irish and Italian verities. While I respect people for their religious belief (unless used as an excuse to persecute others and infringe on their rights) I do not consider myself Catholic anymore. But I can’t shed some of those Catholic sensibilities. Lol.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 Yeah, the lyrics were written in the 1880's. Since the "quiet revolution" in the 60's most of the French-Canadian diaspora are culturally Catholic; but not religious.
Could please listen to song written by Dave Hatfield brother of Chris Hatfield Canadian astronaut The song is called In Canada, and it speaks to so many Canadian Truisms. Thank you. Greetings from Eastern Ontario
I like the version where English and French intermixed. I believe Canada is the only country that has a bilingual version of the anthem.
Oh really? I never heard that. Interesting. I’ll have to check that out.
Here is the lyrics below for the bilingual version. This is the new version where "all thy sons command" were changed to "in all of us command". In public school when they played O Canada! over the PA everyday the bilingual version was quite common and many times is sung at junior hockey games in Canada as well.
Thanks for the great videos John and always nice seeing and hearing from you.
O Canada
OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM (Bilingual version)
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
Car ton bras sait porter l’épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.@@johnf-americanreacts1287
Wow, you got that the original anthem was written in French. A lot of Canadians don't even know this fact.
"""Check out Public services replacing Canadian flag at peace tower....""
ton means your
WE CARRY THE TORCH
Have you done a reaction to Gordon Sinclair - The Americans (A Canadian's Opinion)?
If you haven't already check out some video of candian and American sports fans sang the other countries national anthem when there was a Mike failure in the arena
That was part 1 lol
you missed part 1 of this
Yup, I posted a vid about that simultaneously. Check it out if you are interested. Thanks for letting me know know though. I’m always up for suggestions.
@@april_boylehi April. Nice to see you again.
Blck Watch Snipers docudrama WW2
As an Atheist, I would like to see Canada's Anthem without the God BS in it. That is ONE LINE I refuse to sing in the Anthem.
I get it. I was raised Catholic but I no longer consider myself a member of any religion. We don’t have a god reference in our anthem, but we do have it plenty of other places including in the pledge of allegiance, which I don’t like in the first place, but understand the historical reason for it in the wake of a devastating civil war.
Our words have changed again to make it more gender friendly
FRENCH VERSION IS MUCH NICER
The WOKES keep changing,or trying to change,the words.