Music: Calixa Lavallée
English lyrics: Robert Stanley Weir
(French lyrics: Adolphe-Basile Routhier)
English version
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.
French version:
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.
History:
"O Canada" was first performed on June 24, 1880, at a Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebration in Quebec City. The lyrics were originally written in French by Adolphe-Basile Routhier and set to music by Calixa Lavallée. The song quickly became popular across Canada and was eventually adopted as the country's national anthem in 1980.
The English lyrics to "O Canada" were written by Robert Stanley Weir in 1908. Weir's lyrics were based on the original French lyrics, but he made some changes to make them more suitable for English-speaking Canadians. The English version of "O Canada" was officially adopted as the country's national anthem alongside the French version in 1980.
"O Canada" is a symbol of Canadian pride and unity. It is sung at official events and ceremonies across the country, and it is a favorite song of Canadians of all ages.