There are currently two versions of the National Anthem of Canada, a reduced and the original. Also, since it is an officially bilingual country, both the French and English lyrics are legally recognized as the national anthem.
El National Anthem of Canada is "O Canada", a theme that was originally commissioned in 1880 by Théodore Robitaille, Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, for the ceremony of Saint John the Baptist and whose music was composed by Calixa Lavallée. As an accompaniment, the poet and judge Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier performed a patriotic poem in French, and in 1906 it was translated into English.
"O Canada" was first introduced on June 24, 1880, the feast day of Saint John the Baptist, French-Canadian patron saint, but it was not until July 1, 1980, that it was confirmed as the national anthem. Until that time, the national anthem had been the British "God Save the Queen", theme that today is still the Royal Anthem of Canada, since the country is an English colony.
El official text in English of «O Canada», is based on the poem that Robert Stanley Weir wrote in 1908; It should be noted that it is not a translation of the French version. The lyrics of the Canadian National Anthem in English underwent some changes in 1908, at the hands of a committee of the Senate and the House of Commons, but the French one remains intact.
Although the original versions of both languages have more stanzas, only the first of these is legally recognized as a national anthem.
This is the official letter of "O Canada" in French:
O Canada! Terre de nos aïeux
Ton front is ceint de fleurons glorieux
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée
He can carry the cross!
Ton histoire is an epic
Des plus brilliants exploits.
Et ta valeur, by foi trempée,
Protect us foyers et nos droits.
Protect us foyers et nos droits.
In this video you can listen to «O Canada» in French:
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Here you have the official lyrics of «O Canada» in English:
Or Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all your 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 you.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Finally, we leave you with a video where you can listen to «O Canada» in English:
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