Note today: As the 150th Anniversary of Canada’s Confederation approaches, a re-post of the 2012 blog entry seems worthwhile. Canada’s House of Commons has approved a rather awkward-sounding tinkering with the English version to change “True patriot love in all our sons command” to “True patriot love in all of us command” but the senate hasn’t yet confirmed the change. Time we stopped tinkering… This version has been in my head and written down for almost a decade now. I think it deals with several genuine issues, including the above one about gender, but may be a little controversial. My vision is of a version such as this being sung everywhere, in verbal unison, by all people in Canada – including our First Nations.
We must remember, with respect and sensitivity, that this beautiful, shared land did not suddenly rise from the sea in the 16th century.
So here goes the original 2012 post:
O Canada, terre si belle, si grande
We pledge our love from cliffs to surging sand
Car nos bras saient porter l’épée, nous savons protéger la paix
Notre sagesse dès milliers d’années donne à tout ce qui vit respect
Pure prairie skies, tundra and tree
O Canada we stand on guard for Thee
O Canada we stand on guard for Thee.
This single version, using both official languages, has been floating around in my mind for a few years. For me it expresses my dream for a Canada that we can work towards building.
A Canada that believes in peace keeping and not in gratuitous wars that make the world less stable.
A Canada that respects, because of the influence of our native peoples, all forms of sentient life with whom we share the richness of our air, water and earth.
Your input is welcome.
Happy Canada Day!
Joyeuse Fête du Canada!
mightyturk 