January 16, 2025
If the song meant to unite us during sports games and symbolic ceremonies can’t get the job done, then maybe it’s time we give it another look.

‘O Canada’ is everything that’s wrong with this country

Our national anthem is inoffensive to the point of being offensive. Even from a purely musical standpoint, it’s melodically stagnant, without ever really rising or falling until the final repetition of “O Canada, we stand on guard for thee” toward the end — and right when the song starts to gain steam and inspire anything close to patriotism, it’s already over

When I was 8-years-old, I nearly fell asleep during my Canadian citizenship ceremony. It was during the playing of “O Canada” when I began to get a little droopy-eyed and even now, reflecting on the maple cookies I was given that day inspires more national pride in me than our national anthem ever will.

Let’s face it: “O Canada” is boring. It’s inoffensive to the point of being offensive. Even from a purely musical standpoint, it’s melodically stagnant, without ever really rising or falling until the final repetition of “O Canada, we stand on guard for thee” toward the end — and right when the song starts to gain steam and inspire anything close to patriotism, it’s already over.

Say what you want about our neighbours to the south, but at least “The Star Spangled Banner” can be sung with conviction. The vocally demanding anthem lends itself to distinct creative interpretations whether it’s sung well (think Whitney) or not so well (think Fergie), and in turn, speaks volumes on America’s love of rugged individualism.

The best national anthems are those that tell us something vital about the country they were made to represent. “O Canada” tells you nothing about Canada — and, in the process, everything wrong with it too.

Read It All…

Jack’s Note: God bless her little pea pickin’ heart! I’ve always hated this stupid song and I agree with Nadia 100%.

““O Canada” was proclaimed Canada’s national anthem in 1980, a century after it was first sung in 1880. The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, and the French lyrics were written by Adolphe-Basile Routhier.”

F**kin’ Liberals!!

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BTDT
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BTDT
June 24, 2024 2:45 pm

Agree 100% , Jack. I’ve never felt inspired by ‘Oh Canada’. A national anthem so unimportant to our leaders that they (exclusively Liberals?) leap at any every opportunity to change the words to comply to soothe the feelings of some imagined offended minority group and/or to the politically expedient ‘flavor of the day’.

A perfect example of how Canadians, at least Winnipeg Jets fans, love to disrespect our so-called ‘National Anthem’. During the singing of our anthem at the beginning of every home game fans shout out in unison two words, TRUE NORTH!. Nothing to do with love and devotion for Canada. They’re acknowledging those feelings for True North Sports and Entertainment, a private company for bringing the Jets NHL team back to the city. Canadians who should know better but instead show disrespect for their country. There is NO defending. None.

Stand guard – responsible for watching or protecting. So identify a single thing that Canada does that backs up the promise “Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee”? Who? Where? How? Meaningless words have no meaning.

Go on line and listen (and the lyrics) to other nation’s national anthems. America. UK. Australia. France. Russia. China. Zimbabwe. My personal top 3? #1 America. # 2 France #3. Russia.

Canada needs, no deserves a new anthem.