New Canadian anthem - poll

[Auburn Annie]

Rethinking O Canada: Canada's rash choice

As Canada turns 140, Citizen writer Tony Atherton uses equal parts history and whimsy to offer a light-hearted analysis of our anthem — and suggests some alternatives

Tony Atherton
The Ottawa Citizen

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

On Sunday, July 1, Canada will turn 140, a venerable age, an age of wisdom, an age of reckoning. It may also be the perfect age to reconsider the song we sing (or more often, don't sing) at momentous ceremonial occasions. Like hockey games.

When the U.S. turned 140 in 1916, it marked the occasion by finally giving a small measure of official status to The Star-Spangled Banner, one of a score of patriotic songs then in circulation. American president Woodrow Wilson decreed that the song would be sung at all military ceremonies. It was the first step in a laboured political process that would see the song become the U.S.'s national anthem -- though not for another 15 years, 155 years after the country was born.

The U.S., though precipitous in some things, apparently thought it wise to ruminate at length before pronouncing on something as significant as the song expected to bind the scattered nation and represent it to the world.

By comparison, Canada's selection of its national anthem was downright impetuous, if not slapdash. O Canada, which had knocked about in various forms since Calixa Lavallee wrote the "national hymn" for a St-Jean-Baptiste Day celebration in 1880, was granted a degree of official recognition when Canada was a mere 60 years old. And it became the national anthem by parliamentary decree in 1980, when the country was a tender 113.

Was the decision too rash? Certainly, O Canada does not command the same kind of unwavering devotion that The Star-Spangled Banner seems to excite among those of the American persuasion. Many francophone Canadians disdain O Canada as a Quebec anthem co-opted for a federalist cause. Its English lyrics, changed several times since they were first written by Robert Stanley Weir in 1908, are still considered sexist by some ("... in all thy sons command"). Others say its French lyrics, unchanged since the song was first performed, are too unapologetically Christian ("... il sait porter la croix").

At most events (Stanley Cup Finals and Olympic medal presentations are notable exceptions), Canadians are hesitant to join in the singing of the national anthem. Is it innate Canadian diffidence, or something about the song itself, its ponderousness, or the fact that no one knows which lyrics to use -- old, new, French, English, bilingual, non-gender-specific ...

How would we react if the song was some other patriotic ditty, like The Maple Leaf For Ever (now available with politically correct, bilingual lyrics)? Or Gordon Lightfoot's Canadian Railroad Trilogy? Or Stompin' Tom Connors' The Hockey Song?

The Citizen is giving readers a chance to express their feelings about O Canada and its potential rivals, to either renew the anthem's mandate for another 140 years, or opt for an alternative.

Over the next few days, we will be presenting the case for the incumbent, O Canada, and 11 other patriotic songs that might be seen as contenders. Some of the latter we suggest might be adopted in tandem for reasons we will explain. Our list of alternative anthems includes: The Maple Leaf For Ever, partnered with the traditional French Canadian folk song Vive La Canadienne; Un Canadian Errant (Once a Canadian Lad); Freddy Grant's They All Call It Canada; Oscar Brand's Something to Sing About; Lightfoot's Canadian Railroad Trilogy; Bobby Gimby's Centennial song Ca-Na-Da; one or both of Gilles Vigneault's Quebec anthems Mon Pays and Gens du Pays; and a combo-plate of the Hockey Night in Canada Theme and Stompin' Tom's The Hockey Song.

Beginning today, brief brackgrounders, lyrics and sample soundfiles of these songs will be posted at ottawacitizen.com, where readers will be able to vote for their favourite and give reasons for their choice. We'll share the results with readers when the votes are tabulated in time for Canada Day.

But you need not restrict yourself to our selections. If some other song turns your Canadian crank, we want to know. Maybe you stand to attention for Big Sugar's All Hell for a Basement, Neil Young's Helpless; or Stan Rogers' One Warm Line. Write in your selection on the website and convince readers that your pick for Canada's anthem should prevail.

And if you've got a couple of favourites, vote twice. Internet democracy grants power to those willing to use it.

Watch for the results in the newspaper and on the web on Canada Day weekend.

REFERANTHEM: Putting O Canada to the people

With Canada's 140th birthday approaching, we thought Canadians should have a chance to reconsider the song for which we stand -- and which stands for our nation. In the coming days, we will press the case for O Canada and a range of plausible alternative anthems. Readers can vote online at ottawacitizen.com for one of these, or any other song that makes them feel particularly patriotic. Results of the poll will be released Canada Day Weekend.

Today: The Maple Leaf For Ever and Vive La Canadienne

Tomorrow: Un Canadien Errant (Once a Canadian Lad)

Friday: They All Call It Canada

Saturday: Something

to Sing About

Sunday: Ca-Na-Da

Monday: The Canadian Railroad Trilogy

Tuesday: Mon Pays and Gens du Pays

Wednesday: Hockey Night in Canada Theme and The Hockey Song

Thursday: O Canada

On the Web:

- Hear excerpts from the featured songs

- Read the lyrics (and translations where appropriate)

- Vote for your favourite patriotic Canadian song

© The Ottawa Citizen 2007


-------------------------------------------------
As much as I love CRT, I can't see the crowd at the stadium standing to sing through THE WHOLE THING - alas, too long.

[Auburn Annie]

Rethinking O Canada: Canada's rash choice

As Canada turns 140, Citizen writer Tony Atherton uses equal parts history and whimsy to offer a light-hearted analysis of our anthem — and suggests some alternatives

Tony Atherton
The Ottawa Citizen

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

On Sunday, July 1, Canada will turn 140, a venerable age, an age of wisdom, an age of reckoning. It may also be the perfect age to reconsider the song we sing (or more often, don't sing) at momentous ceremonial occasions. Like hockey games.

When the U.S. turned 140 in 1916, it marked the occasion by finally giving a small measure of official status to The Star-Spangled Banner, one of a score of patriotic songs then in circulation. American president Woodrow Wilson decreed that the song would be sung at all military ceremonies. It was the first step in a laboured political process that would see the song become the U.S.'s national anthem -- though not for another 15 years, 155 years after the country was born.

The U.S., though precipitous in some things, apparently thought it wise to ruminate at length before pronouncing on something as significant as the song expected to bind the scattered nation and represent it to the world.

By comparison, Canada's selection of its national anthem was downright impetuous, if not slapdash. O Canada, which had knocked about in various forms since Calixa Lavallee wrote the "national hymn" for a St-Jean-Baptiste Day celebration in 1880, was granted a degree of official recognition when Canada was a mere 60 years old. And it became the national anthem by parliamentary decree in 1980, when the country was a tender 113.

Was the decision too rash? Certainly, O Canada does not command the same kind of unwavering devotion that The Star-Spangled Banner seems to excite among those of the American persuasion. Many francophone Canadians disdain O Canada as a Quebec anthem co-opted for a federalist cause. Its English lyrics, changed several times since they were first written by Robert Stanley Weir in 1908, are still considered sexist by some ("... in all thy sons command"). Others say its French lyrics, unchanged since the song was first performed, are too unapologetically Christian ("... il sait porter la croix").

At most events (Stanley Cup Finals and Olympic medal presentations are notable exceptions), Canadians are hesitant to join in the singing of the national anthem. Is it innate Canadian diffidence, or something about the song itself, its ponderousness, or the fact that no one knows which lyrics to use -- old, new, French, English, bilingual, non-gender-specific ...

How would we react if the song was some other patriotic ditty, like The Maple Leaf For Ever (now available with politically correct, bilingual lyrics)? Or Gordon Lightfoot's Canadian Railroad Trilogy? Or Stompin' Tom Connors' The Hockey Song?

The Citizen is giving readers a chance to express their feelings about O Canada and its potential rivals, to either renew the anthem's mandate for another 140 years, or opt for an alternative.

Over the next few days, we will be presenting the case for the incumbent, O Canada, and 11 other patriotic songs that might be seen as contenders. Some of the latter we suggest might be adopted in tandem for reasons we will explain. Our list of alternative anthems includes: The Maple Leaf For Ever, partnered with the traditional French Canadian folk song Vive La Canadienne; Un Canadian Errant (Once a Canadian Lad); Freddy Grant's They All Call It Canada; Oscar Brand's Something to Sing About; Lightfoot's Canadian Railroad Trilogy; Bobby Gimby's Centennial song Ca-Na-Da; one or both of Gilles Vigneault's Quebec anthems Mon Pays and Gens du Pays; and a combo-plate of the Hockey Night in Canada Theme and Stompin' Tom's The Hockey Song.

Beginning today, brief brackgrounders, lyrics and sample soundfiles of these songs will be posted at ottawacitizen.com, where readers will be able to vote for their favourite and give reasons for their choice. We'll share the results with readers when the votes are tabulated in time for Canada Day.

But you need not restrict yourself to our selections. If some other song turns your Canadian crank, we want to know. Maybe you stand to attention for Big Sugar's All Hell for a Basement, Neil Young's Helpless; or Stan Rogers' One Warm Line. Write in your selection on the website and convince readers that your pick for Canada's anthem should prevail.

And if you've got a couple of favourites, vote twice. Internet democracy grants power to those willing to use it.

Watch for the results in the newspaper and on the web on Canada Day weekend.

REFERANTHEM: Putting O Canada to the people

With Canada's 140th birthday approaching, we thought Canadians should have a chance to reconsider the song for which we stand -- and which stands for our nation. In the coming days, we will press the case for O Canada and a range of plausible alternative anthems. Readers can vote online at ottawacitizen.com for one of these, or any other song that makes them feel particularly patriotic. Results of the poll will be released Canada Day Weekend.

Today: The Maple Leaf For Ever and Vive La Canadienne

Tomorrow: Un Canadien Errant (Once a Canadian Lad)

Friday: They All Call It Canada

Saturday: Something

to Sing About

Sunday: Ca-Na-Da

Monday: The Canadian Railroad Trilogy

Tuesday: Mon Pays and Gens du Pays

Wednesday: Hockey Night in Canada Theme and The Hockey Song

Thursday: O Canada

On the Web:

- Hear excerpts from the featured songs

- Read the lyrics (and translations where appropriate)

- Vote for your favourite patriotic Canadian song

© The Ottawa Citizen 2007


-------------------------------------------------
As much as I love CRT, I can't see the crowd at the stadium standing to sing through THE WHOLE THING - alas, too long.

[charlene]

Only in Canada would this happen.

I am so tired of hearing about the "sexist" lyrics, the French equation and the use of "God" in the lyrics.
I appreciate that when the lyrics were penned the citizens of this country were vastly different in heritage and religious beliefs but it is CANADIAN heritage that is being respected in the lyrics.

While it may not be everyone's 'native' land it becomes HOME for them and they choose to become citizens. Along with the privilege of that honour should come the respect for all that came before that has allowed so many to enjoy and benefit from living here today.

For me as a Canadian by birth and heritage for many generations on my maternal side of the family I feel a sense of history that while Canada is relatively 'new' still makes me very proud.

For the paternal side that saw my father as a first generation Canadian of Italian heritage and knowing the inherent difficulties those ancestors faced I am proud that my Canadian ancestors welcomed them. And even though my Italian ancestors saw many obstacles and hard work and yes even bigotry, they stood proud to be accepted in this country and raise a new Canadian family as they never could have back in Italy.

It's a beautiful anthem that never fails to make me teary whether it is heard before a sporting event (Saturday at the Jays game) or at a repatriation ceremony when one of our soldiers is brought home for burial.
The last line "we stand on guard for thee" never more poignant when a flag draped casket arrives back on Canadian soil. We buried a young soldier today not far from my home..

The song does not speak of bombs or war but of pride and faith in our country and it's freedom for all. There is a sense of wonder and amazement in the song at the manifestation of a new and beautiful country that I proudly call Canada..and home.

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.

and this news:June 20,2007.
The Canadian military is confirming three more Canadian soldiers have been killed. They died when a roadside bomb exploded while they were on patrol in southern Afghanistan. That brings the total number of Canadians killed during the Afghanistan mission to 60.

[charlene]

Only in Canada would this happen.

I am so tired of hearing about the "sexist" lyrics, the French equation and the use of "God" in the lyrics.
I appreciate that when the lyrics were penned the citizens of this country were vastly different in heritage and religious beliefs but it is CANADIAN heritage that is being respected in the lyrics.

While it may not be everyone's 'native' land it becomes HOME for them and they choose to become citizens. Along with the privilege of that honour should come the respect for all that came before that has allowed so many to enjoy and benefit from living here today.

For me as a Canadian by birth and heritage for many generations on my maternal side of the family I feel a sense of history that while Canada is relatively 'new' still makes me very proud.

For the paternal side that saw my father as a first generation Canadian of Italian heritage and knowing the inherent difficulties those ancestors faced I am proud that my Canadian ancestors welcomed them. And even though my Italian ancestors saw many obstacles and hard work and yes even bigotry, they stood proud to be accepted in this country and raise a new Canadian family as they never could have back in Italy.

It's a beautiful anthem that never fails to make me teary whether it is heard before a sporting event (Saturday at the Jays game) or at a repatriation ceremony when one of our soldiers is brought home for burial.
The last line "we stand on guard for thee" never more poignant when a flag draped casket arrives back on Canadian soil. We buried a young soldier today not far from my home..

The song does not speak of bombs or war but of pride and faith in our country and it's freedom for all. There is a sense of wonder and amazement in the song at the manifestation of a new and beautiful country that I proudly call Canada..and home.

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.

and this news:June 20,2007.
The Canadian military is confirming three more Canadian soldiers have been killed. They died when a roadside bomb exploded while they were on patrol in southern Afghanistan. That brings the total number of Canadians killed during the Afghanistan mission to 60.

[T.G.]

Originally posted by charlene:
Only in Canada would this happen.

I am so tired of hearing about the "sexist" lyrics, the French equation and the use of "God" in the lyrics.
I appreciate that when the lyrics were penned the citizens of this country were vastly different in heritage and religious beliefs but it is CANADIAN heritage that is being respected in the lyrics.

A hearty amen to that. I'm sick, too, of revisionists changing all the values that made our country great and the reason for which immigrants literally died to get here in the first place. Why turn our country into what people were fleeing?

[charlene]

While I would love the Trilogy or any Lightfoot song to be an anthem it's not a feasible choice for a 6+ minute song.
And good lord can you just hear the crowds trying to get thru it with the proper rhythms and pace and cadence? what a mess!
lol
Whispers of The North is too location specific I think..the rest of the country anywhere south of the far north would be ticked off at not being included..
lol

[charlene]

While I would love the Trilogy or any Lightfoot song to be an anthem it's not a feasible choice for a 6+ minute song.
And good lord can you just hear the crowds trying to get thru it with the proper rhythms and pace and cadence? what a mess!
lol
Whispers of The North is too location specific I think..the rest of the country anywhere south of the far north would be ticked off at not being included..
lol

[BILLW]

Down here we play both anthems before baseball & hockey games if the away team is from Canada. The Canadian anthem is quite lovely and I find myself and many others singing right along. My vote is to keep it intact, as is. Political correctness or whatever you term it will be the death of us all, and all our traditions and customs, LOL.

Bill

[Paul Farnham]

The Star Spangled Banner has had its detractors as well. It's a bear to sing, and it celebrates war. No matter what is chosen as an anthem, it's not going to please everyone, certainly not in countries with as diverse a demographic as Canada or the U.S. As noted, editing to it to "fit the times" creates confusion. I'm a Yank and so I don't have a dog in this race, but I say leave "O Canada" as is.