O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)

Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jul 15 - 08:55 AM

Is there any particular reason why I should want to watch it?

"When you talk you are only repeating what you already know but when you listen you may learn something new."

- Dalai Lama

Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: PHJim
Date: 05 Jul 15 - 12:26 AM

Willie Dunn was a Native Canadian singer/songwriter/filmmaker whose work focused on Native Canadian issues. If you have never heard of him, his work is worth getting to know.

Willie Dunn's NFB film Ballad Of Crowfoot

Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Mar 16 - 10:46 AM

I find it very interesting to see how different peoples express their own view of the concept of 'Canada' through different versions of O Canada. Thus we have the Scottish Gaelic Version (Composed on Cape Breton in the 1920's)

O Chanada, dùthaich nan gaisgeach còir,
Crùn air do cheann de dhuilleag dhearg is òir.
Bho chuan gu cuan le òran binn,
Do chliù nì sinn a luaidh,
Fo dhìon do sgéith tha saorsa ghrinn
Nach spìon an namhaid uainn.
O Chanada, dùrachd ar cridh',
Sonas le sìth is maitheas Dhè d'ar tìr.
Sonas le sìth is maitheas Dhè d'ar tìr.

Which is the basis of the Irish Gaelic version (because that has a long history in Canada as well)

Ó Cheanada, dúiche na gaiscígh cór,
Coróin ar do cheann, le duilleoga dhearg' 's ór'.
Ó chuan go cuan, le hamhrán binn,
Do chlú beimid á luaigh,
Faoi dhíon do sciath tá saoirse gheal
Nach spíon an namhaid uainn.
Ó Cheanada, dóchas dár gcroí,
Sonas, síocháin is maitheas Dé d'ár tír.
Sonas, síocháin is maitheas Dé d'ár tír.

Fleeing severe repression and colonialism against their cultures (historically, I'm not necessarily saying that inspired the lyrics, as they were treated as bad in Canada) both songs speak of Canada as the home of just heros, leaves of red and gold crowning its head, proclaiming its fame; under its protection freedom is bright and our enemies won't take it from us.

Whereas the Ojibway version is

O Canada, O maa en-ji-ba-yang
Niin-da-kiim-naang ge-tchi pii-ten-da-gwak
Kiin wind kde-i-naang mash-ka-wen-dan-daa
Gii-we-di-nong zaa-gi-too-daa
Naa-nii-bwi-daa,O Canada
We-we-na ka-na-wen-dan-daa
O Canada, ki-tchi gwa-natch
Naa-nii-bwi-daa mii-gwe-chi-wen-dan-daa
Naa-nii-bwi-daa mii-gwe-chi-wen-dan-daa.

The land we are from, our hearts are thankful, let us take good care of our home, our home is beautiful, let us be thankful

Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: GUEST,Sol
Date: 09 Mar 16 - 07:59 PM

There was a version done back in the 80's/90's by a group of well known Canadian singers (Rita McNeil being one, IIRC).
It was absolutely awful as it went on and on and on and on..... with several false endings.

Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: meself
Date: 10 Mar 16 - 12:22 AM

"they were treated as bad in Canada'

Yes, the authorities in Canada are notorious for their oppression and persecution of the Scots and Irish - driving them off their land, burning their homes, sending them off in 'coffin ships', it goes on and on .... right?

Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: Thompson
Date: 10 Mar 16 - 01:43 AM

Eh? Canada took starving people sick with cholera, typhus, typhoid and smallpox off the hospital ships in Grosse Île and put them in hospital tents and sheds and treated them, and saved many lives, surely? Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think there's any feeling in Ireland that Irish people were treated badly in Canad?