Canada

Canada Facts, #2

Okay, so because I mentioned our national anthem, I decided I should right it out for any curious people and make this page a little fun fact page about "O Canada"
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The bilingual (original) version:

"O Canada!
Our home and native land.
True patriot love in all of our 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 version we have used since it was changed for WWI (for non-Frenchies, all in English):

"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."

They changed it for WWI one as a tribute to all the men who were sacrificing their lives for our country, which of course at that time meant for Britain as Canada wasn't recognized as an independent country yet - after WWI, we gained independence as we proved that we were capable of defending ourselves mostly through our outstanding navy performance.

Okay, here is the full French version because I learned that the English version is a adapted version of the original French version, as our national anthem had undergone many changes before it was made official. And thinking about it, it makes sense to me as the French part in the first I showed you does not translate to what the part is in the English version of it.

"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."

And that is Canada's national anthem history for you!