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National anthem for Canada
Composed by Calixa Lavallée (1842– 91), a professional piano player and local of Verchères, Quebec, was dispatched in 1880 on the event of a visit to Quebec by John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, marquess of Lorne (later ninth duke of Argyll), at that point representative general of Canada, and his significant other, Queen Victoria's little girl Princess Louise. The first French verses were composed by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier (1839– 1920), later boss equity of Quebec. The English verses, which are not an interpretation or rendering of the French, were written in 1908 by Robert Stanley Weir (1856– 1926), a legal advisor and recorder of Montreal.
Original Lyrics
English lyrics by Robert Stanley Weir
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love thou dost in us command.
We see thee rising fair, dear land,
The True North, strong and free;
And stand on guard, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
(Refrain)
O Canada! O Canada!
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee,
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
O Canada! Where pines and maples grow,
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow,
How dear to us thy broad domain,
From East to Western sea!
Thou land of hope for all who toil!
Thou True North, strong and free!
(Refrain)
O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies
May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise,
To keep thee steadfast through the years
From East to Western sea,
Our own beloved native land,
Our True North, strong and free!
(Refrain)
Ruler Supreme, Who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion within Thy loving care.
Help us to find, O God, in Thee
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day,
We ever stand on guard.
(Refrain)
