Wednesday 1 July 2020

Happy Canada Day!


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!

Dear Canada. My country. My home. A unique place. A place where we speak both French and English. A country spanning 9.985 million km². A place where we have deserts and polar cold. A country which proudly claims its North-ness and is convinced that it owns the North Pole. A country which envelopes many, many different cultures and is proud of its diversity. A place where you can remain your original culture & yet be Canadian. (A concept utterly impossible to explain, apparently). A country which is rich in natural beauty & variety.  

O Canada, where pines and maples grow,
Great prairies spread, and lordly rivers flow!
How dear to us thy broad domains,
From east to western sea!
Thou land of hope for all who toil,
Thou True North strong and free!
God, keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

Canada. A mentality few understand. A place where we have always had unique struggles as radically different cultures live side-by-side. A country of which we are quietly proud. A country where we constantly apologize and think nothing of it. A country which still claims England. A country where we are proud to have democracy & human rights. A country which looks for the good of all, and not the individual. A country with a varied, rich, largely unknown history. A country which does not seek the limelight. A country which focuses largely on itself. 

O Canada! beneath thy shining skies
May stalwart sons and gentle maidens,
To keep thee steadfast through the years,
From east to western sea,
Our own beloved native land,
Our True North strong and free!

God, keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

Canada. A place which is in great need of prayer & missionaries. A country which has wandered far from its God and which must return. A country in need of revival. 


Ruler supreme! who hearest humble prayer,

Hold Thy Dominion in Thy loving hand!

Help us to find, O God, in Thee a lasting rich reward!
As waiting for the better day,
We ever stand on guard!
God, keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

These verses are our official anthem, written by The Honourable Robert Stanley Weir. An anthem which sums us up and is our own. Below are some verses which are also sung to the tune of O Canada and which I am very fond of.  

O Canada! our heritage, our love!
Thy worth we praise all other lands above!
From sea to sea throughout their length,
From Pole to borderland,
At Britain’s side, whate’er betide,
Unflinchingly we’ll stand!
With hearts we sing, “God save the King!”
Guide then an Empire wide, do we implore,
And prosper Canada from shore to shore!
--Ewing Buchan

Canada. A strong part of the British Empire. A country which was proud of its heritage, proud of its independence, and proud of its sovereign. A country which was built up by a good deal of British work. A country which still has close ties to Britain & the Empire in language.

Almighty Love, by Thy mysterious power,
In wisdom guide, with faith and freedom dower;
Be ours a nation evermore
That no oppression blights,
Where justice rules from shore to shore,
From lakes to Northern Lights.
May love alone for wrong atone;
Lord of the lands, make Canada Thine own!
Lord of the lands, make Canada Thine own!
--Al­bert D. Wat­son

Canada. A place where we have many difficulties, many struggles, many mistakes, many problems. But nevertheless, a place which is still very blessed and happy.


Almighty God! on Thee we call:

Defend our rights, forfend this nation’s thrall!

Defend our rights, forfend this nation’s thrall!
--Thomas Bedford Richardson

Canada. A place which is still free. A place which, please God, will stay free. A place where, please God, we will never be conquered by either outside or inside evil. 

We stand on guard for thee, Canada.

Stay glorious and free. 

Remain a dominion of God. 

Ruler Supreme, stand by us & protect us. We call on Thee for protection & grace. 

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