To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=102739
56 messages

O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)

22 Jun 07 - 03:33 PM (#2084303)
Subject: O CANADA
From: Inukshuk

I have a challenge for all you Canadian Mudcats. Learn to play or sing "O Canada" so that you can give a hearty rendition by July 1st. It's easy enough to sing, but the chords can be a bit complicated. There are, however, some delicious progressions for those of us patient enough to work it out. The tune can be played in any style from Bluegrass to ballad to blues. Take your pick, this tune works with everything. It's time we showed some real pride and appreciation up here.


22 Jun 07 - 03:42 PM (#2084311)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: gnu

Inukshuk.... good idea. ;-)


22 Jun 07 - 03:53 PM (#2084322)
Subject: O CANADA - lyrics & info
From: Joe Offer

Now, for the record, this Department of Canadian Heritage Website (click) has lyrics, music, history, and anything else you would like or not like to learn about "O Canada."

-Joe-


Official Lyrics of O Canada!

Lyrics O 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.

Lyrics O Canada (French version)

« O 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. »

Lyrics O Canada (Bilingual version - non official)

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons 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.

The History of the National Anthem

Summary

"O Canada" was proclaimed Canada's national anthem on July 1, 1980, 100 years after it was first sung on June 24, 1880. The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, a well-known composer; French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The song gained steadily in popularity. Many English versions have appeared over the years. The version on which the official English lyrics are based was written in 1908 by Mr. Justice Robert Stanley Weir. The official English version includes changes recommended in 1968 by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons. The French lyrics remain unaltered.


22 Jun 07 - 03:58 PM (#2084327)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Becca72

I'm a Montreal Canadiennes fan so I already know O Canada....but I only know the English version so I guess I won't be singing it in Quebec anytime soon...


22 Jun 07 - 04:03 PM (#2084332)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Inukshuk

I have a vision of this song being sung and broadcast by CBC for 24 hours some July 1st in the (hopefully near) future. It would start with many versions in Native languages, the standard French, then English arrangements, followed by every other language and culture that now holds Canada dear. It's time we joined hands and looked forward together.


22 Jun 07 - 04:48 PM (#2084363)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: harpmolly

I really dig "O Canada". I got to sing it at a Canadian football game once...:)

M


22 Jun 07 - 05:00 PM (#2084372)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Mooh

I have a fingerstyle guitar arrangement very loosely based on the harmonies from the Anglican Church hymn book, in D major. Some day I'll copyright it.

Peace, Mooh.


22 Jun 07 - 05:26 PM (#2084397)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Inukshuk

Geez, Mooh, it's standard in C, but we'd love to hear your version.


22 Jun 07 - 07:27 PM (#2084481)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Mooh

Inukshuk..."Geez, Mooh, it's standard in C, but we'd love to hear your version."

Of the seven hymnals I checked off my shelf (I have more but I'm making a point), six had O Canada in E flat, and the only one in C was melody line only. I figure C is a little low for congregational and large group singing, but your milage may vary. It appears in "Songs For Canadian Boys" in E flat too. It also appears in "Singing Our History" (Fowke and Mills) but in D major. That sampling would indicate a setting higher than C as "standard". I will continue my search because now I'm curious.

For what it's worth.

Peace, Mooh.


22 Jun 07 - 07:34 PM (#2084485)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Mooh

None other than Ernest MacMillan in "A Canadian Songbook" also chose E flat as did the "Silver Book Of Songs For All Grades".

Peace, Mooh.


22 Jun 07 - 07:39 PM (#2084492)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Tattie Bogle

Reminds me of seeing an instrumental Canadian band in Scotland: after they'd played the same tune for 20 minutes (not even a SET of tunes) someone asked if they could sing a song.
"Song? Song?" they said (What's this strange request?), anxious glances, then rather sheepishly, "O Canada?" They didn't even sing it but left for another venue!


22 Jun 07 - 08:29 PM (#2084517)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Inukshuk

Peace be on you Moog. You are no doubt very correct as to the pitch of this song. I learned my C version from the alternate chords displayed in "Canada's Story in Song" (Fowke,Mills, Blume - revised edition 1965)where it is set in D. I learn just about everything in C first. It's my personal standard.


22 Jun 07 - 08:40 PM (#2084519)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Inukshuk

Sorry, Mooh.


22 Jun 07 - 09:19 PM (#2084539)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Peter T.

There is no version of "O Canada" that anyone agrees on, which more or less symbolizes this halfassed country, blessings upon it.

yours,

Peter T.


23 Jun 07 - 03:34 AM (#2084654)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Jeremiah McCaw

Once heard a fingerstyle guitarist playing a decent-sounding instrumental that sounded naggingly familiar. 'Bout half-way through we all realized it was 'O Canada'; we'd just never heard it as a concert number before. Commented on it to him afterward and he said, "Yeah, once you get those damn fanfares out of it, it's a really pretty song."


23 Jun 07 - 06:35 AM (#2084730)
Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: O CANADA
From: Inukshuk

Here's one version:

O CANADA

Canadian National Anthem - Lyrics by The Honourable Robert Stanley Weir
Originally composed by Calixa Lavallée

D5 = xx0235 or play Dm bar chord 557765

C G   Am
O Canada
G   C    Dm G D5   G
Our home and native land

C    D       G
True Patriot Love
D5 G       D5   G
In all thy sons command

G    Dm      G
With glowing hearts
   C       Am
We see thee rise
    D5   G    Dm    C   G
The true North strong and free
    Dm       G       C   Am
From far and wide, O Canada,
   G       D         G
We stand on guard for thee.

C   G       Am   
God keep our land
Dm D5       G
glorious and free!

C E   F      C    G Am    G   C
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
C F   Am F C    Dm C    G   C
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.


23 Jun 07 - 07:29 AM (#2084761)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: masato sakurai

From YouTube:

Edmonton Oilers Fans sing O Canada

Alanis Morissette O Canada at Stanley Cup game 4

Chandra Crawford's Gold Medal Oh Canada

etc.


23 Jun 07 - 09:31 AM (#2084805)
Subject: Chords Add: O CANADA
From: Inukshuk

O CANADA

a chord chart based on the version in "Canada's Story in Song"

Gsus5 = 320013 - unnecessary but nice and folky

/C C G G/Am Am Am G/C C C F/G Gsus5 Gsus5 G/
/C C D D/G G G D/G G D D/G G G G/
/G7 G7 G G/C C C C/F C G7 C/ G Gsus5 Gsus5 G/
/G7 G7 G7 G7/C C Am Am/G G D D/G G G G/

/C C G G/Am Am Am Am/F F Dm Dm/ G Gsus5 Gsus5 G/
/C C E E/Am Dm C G/Am Am F F/E E E E/
/C C C G/F Dm Am F/C C G7 G7/C C C C/


23 Jun 07 - 09:35 AM (#2084810)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: GEST

They say 90% of all Canadians only know the first seven words of their national anthem. The other 10% are hockey fans. :-)

From GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador, here is a simple score, lyrics in both English and French, and four MIDI files, all on one page. Enjoy.

http://wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/08/ocanada.htm

Je suis Canadien,

GEST


23 Jun 07 - 10:12 AM (#2084827)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Inukshuk

Merci, Gest.
I've been searching all morning for some "official" bilingual lyrics. I play in a trio with a quebecois and an acadienne. Any help here would be much appreciated. Just to be on the safe side, I'm going to brush up on the French lyrics for the first verse and chorus, at least.


23 Jun 07 - 11:31 AM (#2084859)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Peter T.

The most half assed thing they ever did was to try and get everyone to sing a bilingual version -- everybody hated the idea. Be smart, don't go there!!!!!

yours,

Peter T.


23 Jun 07 - 12:27 PM (#2084899)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Metchosin

I can't believe that 90% of Canadians only know the first 4 lines. We had to sing the entire national anthem at least weekly and sometimes daily depending on the particular teacher's bent in elementary and at every assembly I ever attended for thirteen frigging years.

In fact, I can't even think of the song, without hearing the ubiquitous piano pounding out the extra descending notes at the end of almost every line. We usually sang that part too....we must have sounded like a bunch of raving Bolsheviks.

O Canada!...bum, bum, bum

Of course, we also had to sing God Save the Queen back then too. How times have changed.

I always wondered a bit why true patriot love was only commanded of sons, but then just assumed that daughters weren't supposed to give a shit. I agree with Peter T., if they hadn't started dicking with the rest of the words, perhaps the 90% would sing more than four lines.

This may explain why years ago, my friend Dave and I once sang our own Canadian anthem to Wild Thing.... Canada..I think I love you, but I wanna know for sure!.....of course it might have been the booze too. LOL


23 Jun 07 - 12:59 PM (#2084920)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Mooh

Yeah, we sang O Canada and God Save The Queen, then recited The Lord's Prayer in public school in the '60s. Those were the days!

Peace, Mooh.


23 Jun 07 - 07:22 PM (#2085169)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: GEST

Metchosin ~

That was, 90% only know the first seven WORDS:

O, Canada, my home and native land.

Perhaps the great number of Canadian immigrants who were not schooled in Canada also have something to do with that low figure. They may have had to learn the anthem for citizenship, but even at citizenship ceremonies, the words are distributed on small cards. There is no test. ~grin~


23 Jun 07 - 08:34 PM (#2085208)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: masato sakurai

Lots of vintage recordings are HERE at The Virtual Gramophone.


24 Jun 07 - 11:58 AM (#2085620)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Metchosin

Well Gest, if 90% were true Canadians, they would know that the real first line, as she was writ, is:

O, Canada, beloved fatherland.......Ya? *BG*

If that couldn't stand the test of time, when are they going to get rid of commanding our sons and not our daughters? As loving true patriots too, we can vote now, you know. LOL

Thanks Masato.


24 Jun 07 - 12:17 PM (#2085634)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: GUEST,meself

"Yeah, we sang O Canada and God Save The Queen, then recited The Lord's Prayer in public school in the '60s."

What?! You didn't have to say the pledge to the flag? No Bible reading? No hymn? What kind of a school did you go to, anyway?


"That was, 90% only know the first seven WORDS:

O, Canada, my home and native land."

Hate to say this GEST, but it looks like you don't even qualify for that 90%:

("OUR home and native land" ... )


24 Jun 07 - 12:59 PM (#2085674)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Metchosin

missed that, meself! Good call. LOL

Come to think of it, we learned "thy sons" and not "our sons", so I am remiss as well.


24 Jun 07 - 01:30 PM (#2085692)
Subject: Lyr Add: O CANADA
From: Inukshuk

OK, here are the official lyrics from the Government of Canada Canadian Heritage site (op cit – Joe Offer). This version has been in use since the late sixties so it's about time we all knew the right words; especially those of us who call ourselves singers with repertoires of scores, if not hundreds of songs.

OFFICIAL LYRICS OF O CANADA!

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.


24 Jun 07 - 02:49 PM (#2085763)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: GUEST,meself

"Come to think of it, we learned "thy sons" and not "our sons", so I am remiss as well."

When there's a crowd singing, it usually comes out as "in all 'thar' sons": half the people are singing 'thy' and the other half are singing 'our' and the other half are just mumbling.

Same as in God Save the Queen: the last line always comes out as "God save 'thar' Queen" - half are singing 'the', half are singing 'our', and the other half ...

Anyway, don't spend too much time learning O Canada correctly - I guarantee you the words will be changed again within our lifetimes ...


24 Jun 07 - 06:27 PM (#2085916)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Haruo

Inuktitut (romanized), Gaelic and Esperanto lyrics are at Wikisource.org. Kantu Seatlo! sang it in Esperanto at NW Folklife this May.

Haruo


24 Jun 07 - 07:20 PM (#2085941)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: GEST

Ahh, MESELF, I suppose I should stop taking "our" anthem so personally. Good catch. :)


01 Jul 07 - 05:16 PM (#2091832)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Mooh

O Canada, our homes on native land...

Happy Canada Day!

Peace, Mooh.


03 Jul 07 - 03:07 PM (#2093289)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Haruo

I miss when it was "Dominion Day", it sounded so much more imperial, like your gallons. Now we have to wait till September 26 for the kiwis to have Dominion Day, and it's a lot more expensive to get there.

Haruo


03 Jul 07 - 05:58 PM (#2093422)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: GUEST,Jim

Mooh,
I've been playing this for my sound check every Canada day for at least the last 7 or 8 years. I do it in C positions, but usually put a capo on the 2nd fret. It usually takes a few bars before people realize what I'm playing and then they start standing up. It is a nice fingerstyle piece.


04 Jul 07 - 09:23 AM (#2093872)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: Mooh

Jim...Yeah, normally I do it fingerstyle too but this past Canada Day I had a pianist and bass player with me so I did it single note embellished melody on the Godin LG with two humbuckers through my tube amp...fun and LOUD.

Peace, Mooh.


05 Jul 07 - 03:53 AM (#2094500)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: GUEST,name in the blank, please

Free version from Quartette (Cindy Church, Caitlin Hanford, Gwen Swick and Sylvia Tyson) http://www.quartette.com/

Don't see how it can get much better than that.


07 Jul 07 - 10:11 AM (#2096338)
Subject: RE: O CANADA
From: GUEST,FeinDenz (Ottawa)

This has been the most useful & informed site about bilingual O Canada, thanks all.

Our Rotary Clubs have had the right Weir version in English for many years, so I know it.

Now that I've moved to Ottawa, after 29 years very happily in Winnipeg, I want to learn & disseminate the customary rendition I often hear in the capital. It has two lines in French. Which 2, I cannot discern; my French, she is not good enough - yet.

Can someone guide me please?

Merci beaucoup,

Denzil


02 Nov 11 - 06:06 AM (#3248989)
Subject: Asani
From: Lizzie Cornish 1

Oh! Listen to these wonderful voices!

ASANI - Awesome (and inclusive) version of the Canadian National Anthem


01 Jul 15 - 12:19 PM (#3720288)
Subject: Oh Canada
From: GUEST

Oh Canada by Willie Dunn


01 Jul 15 - 01:33 PM (#3720301)
Subject: RE: Oh Canada
From: Jack Campin

It's a video by somebody I've never heard of and you've given it a title I don't recognize.

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


01 Jul 15 - 02:50 PM (#3720320)
Subject: RE: Oh Canada
From: GUEST

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

Because you just might broaden your horizons?


01 Jul 15 - 03:42 PM (#3720330)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: maeve

Thinking of my Canadian friends today as the White-throated sparrows sing their lovely, "Oh-sweet-canada..."

maeve


01 Jul 15 - 04:16 PM (#3720345)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: Jack Campin

I suppose this might broaden your horizons too:

http://www.fireonline.cn/activityproList/ghhdrdta/gdfagrt/

It was the result of typing a bunch of random letters into Google. At least I'm telling you how I got to it, which is more than I know about some completely unexplained link posted by a gutless anonymous twerp.


01 Jul 15 - 05:28 PM (#3720360)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: Joe Offer

Jack's right - if you post a link, you should say something about what's in it, and about what you yourself think about it. This is a discussion forum, not just a place for people to post random links. Don't expect me to click on a link, unless you tell me first what's in it. And no, Jack, I'm not going to change yours into a clickable link...

-Joe-


01 Jul 15 - 05:56 PM (#3720363)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: Mrrzy

I always liked Mon Pays Ce N'Est Pas Un Pays, C'Est L'Hiver, as an alternate anthem, kinda like My country 'tis of thee for the yanks...


In other news, I heard someone refer to Canada as "the US of eh?" the other day...


01 Jul 15 - 06:43 PM (#3720375)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: meself

I think Mon Pays would be a bit of a challenge for crowd singing - maybe not as much as The Star-Spangled Banner, though!

(And Canada will be the US of Eh before long, the way things are going ... ).


01 Jul 15 - 06:50 PM (#3720376)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: GUEST

The song you are referring to is called "Gens du Pays". It was co-opted as an anthem by nationalist Québécois and is considered as exclusionary by those who are not "de souche" and "pure laine" Québécois.

The Oh Canada, linked to above, is an alternate version to the national anthem of Canada written from the perspective of an indigenous Canadian and performed by it's author the late Willie Dunn.


01 Jul 15 - 06:50 PM (#3720377)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: GUEST,HiLo

Great song! A gem of a country! Happy Canada day.


01 Jul 15 - 09:26 PM (#3720412)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: gnu

Subject: Oh Canada
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jul 15 - 12:19 PM

Oh Canada by Willie Dunn

... is perfectly fine just the way it was posted. Perfectly fine. Thank you, GUEST.

You don't wanna click a link unless it's explained to you first? Oh, wait, it was! What's your problem?

Signed,

A Real Canuck who gives a shit about what the link is about. The rest of you can... you know... that thing Canucks say when they get pissed off.


04 Jul 15 - 08:55 AM (#3720933)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: GUEST

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


05 Jul 15 - 12:26 AM (#3721051)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: PHJim

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


09 Mar 16 - 10:46 AM (#3777643)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: GUEST

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


09 Mar 16 - 07:59 PM (#3777742)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: GUEST,Sol

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.


10 Mar 16 - 12:22 AM (#3777773)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: meself

"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?


10 Mar 16 - 01:43 AM (#3777775)
Subject: RE: O Canada (was: Oh, Canada)
From: Thompson

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?