O Canada

"O Canada" is Canada's imaginatively titled national anthem. It was originally in French and was first used in 1880 on St-Jean-Baptiste Day, Quebec's "national holiday". "O Canada" has been the de facto national anthem since 1939, but only became official in 1980.



"O Canada" is often sung half in English and half in French, to celebrate our two official languages. For those of you studying French as well as English, it might be interesting to compare the English lyrics and the French lyrics. The emphasis in the French version is different from the emphasis in the English version and is just one example of the sometimes different priorities of French and English Canada.

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.

Interesting, eh?