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The History of the National Anthem
Summary
"O Canada" was proclaimed Canada's national anthem on
July 1, 1980, 100 years after it was first sung on June 24, 1880.
The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, a well-known composer;
French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Sir
Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The song gained steadily in popularity.
Many English versions have appeared over the years. The version on
which the official English lyrics are based was written in 1908 by
Mr. Justice Robert Stanley Weir. The official English version
includes changes recommended in 1968 by a Special Joint Committee of
the Senate and House of Commons. The French lyrics remain unaltered.
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Full History of "O Canada"
Many people think of Calixa Lavallée as an obscure music teacher
who dashed off a patriotic song in a moment of inspiration. The
truth is quite different. Lavallée was, in fact, known as
"Canada's national musician" and it was on this account
that he was asked to compose the music for a poem written by Judge
Adolphe-Basile Routhier.
The occasion was the "Congrès national des Canadiens-Français"
in1880, which was being held at the same time as the St. Jean-Baptiste
Day celebrations.
There had been some thought of holding a competition for a
national hymn to have its first performance on St. Jean-Baptiste
Day, June 24, but by January the committee in charge decided there
was not enough time, so the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, the
Honourable Théodore Robitaille, commissioned Judge Routhier to
write a hymn and Lavallée to compose the tune. Lavallée made a
number of drafts before the tune we know was greeted with enthusiasm
by his musical friends. It is said that in the excitement of success
Lavallée rushed to show his music to the Lieutenant Governor
without even stopping to sign the manuscript.
The first performance took place on June 24, 1880 at a banquet in
the "Pavillon des Patineurs" in Quebec City as the climax
of a"Mosaïque sur des airs populaires canadiens" arranged
by Joseph Vézina, a prominent composer and bandmaster.
Although this first performance of "O Canada" with
Routhier's French words was well received on the evening, it does
not seem to have made a lasting impression at that time. Arthur
Lavigne, a Quebec musician and music dealer, published it without
copyright but there was no rush to reprint. Lavallée's obit in 1891
doesn't mention it among his accomplishments, nor does a biography
of Judge Routhier published in 1898. French Canada is represented in
the 1887 edition of the University of Toronto song book by
"Vive la canadienne", "A la claire fontaine" and
"Un canadien errant".
English Canada in general probably first heard "O
Canada" when school children sang it when the Duke and Duchess
of Cornwall (later King George V and Queen Mary) toured Canada in
1901. Five years later Whaley and Royce in Toronto published the
music with the French text and a translation into English made by
Dr. Thomas Bedford Richardson, a Toronto doctor. The Mendelssohn
Choir used the Richardson lyrics in one of their performances about
this time and Judge Routhier and the French press complimented the
author.
Richardson version:
O Canada! Our fathers' land of old
Thy brow is crown'd with leaves of red and gold.
Beneath the shade of the Holy Cross
Thy children own their birth
No stains thy glorious annals gloss
Since valour shield thy hearth.
Almighty God! On thee we call
Defend our rights, forfend this nation's thrall,
Defend our rights, forfend this nation's thrall.
In 1908 Collier's Weekly inaugurated its Canadian edition with a
competition for an English text to Lavallée's music. It was won by
Mercy E. Powell McCulloch, but her version did not take.
McCulloch version :
O Canada! in praise of thee we sing;
From echoing hills our anthems proudly ring.
With fertile plains and mountains grand
With lakes and rivers clear,
Eternal beauty, thos dost stand
Throughout the changing year.
Lord God of Hosts! We now implore
Bless our dear land this day and evermore,
Bless our dear land this day and evermore.
Since then many English versions have been written for "O
Canada". Poet Wilfred Campbell wrote one. So did Augustus
Bridle, Toronto critic. Some were written for the 1908 tercentenary
of Quebec City. One version became popular in British Columbia...
Buchan version:
O Canada, our heritage, our love
Thy worth we praise all other lands above.
From sea to see 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 one Empire wide, do we implore,
And prosper Canada from shore to shore.
However the version that gained the widest currency was made in
1908 by Robert Stanley Weir, a lawyer and at the time Recorder of
the City of Montréal. A slightly modified version of the 1908 poem
was published in an official form for the Diamond Jubilee of
Confederation in 1927, and has since been generally accepted in
English speaking Canada. Following further minor amendments, the
first verse of Weir's poem was proclaimed as Canada's national
anthem in 1980. The version adopted pursuant to the National Anthem
Act in 1980 reads as follows:
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.
Many musicians have made arrangements of "O Canada" but
there appears to be a scarcity of recordings suitable for various
purposes.
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Calixa Lavallée
Calixa Lavallée was a "canadien errant", a man who left
his country for greener fields, but who nevertheless loved Canada
and returned to it, returned with a reputation well earned in the
United States and France to become the "national musician"
of Canada. He was, in his time, a composer operettas, at least one
symphony, various occasional pieces and songs; he was a pianist and
organist of considerable note and he was a teacher who wanted to
found the first Canadian Conservatory.
The famous Canadian choral conductor Augustus Stephen Volt said
of him: "I became acquainted with Lavallée in the 80's of the
last century, when I was in Boston as a student of music, and he
impressed me as a man of extraordinary ability - not merely as a
clever executant of the piano, and not merely as an adroit deviser
of pretty melodies and sensuous harmonies, but as a genuinely
creative artist, a pure musical genius".
Calixa Lavallée was born in Verchères, Canada East, on December
28, 1842, the son of Augustin Lavallée, a woodcutter and
blacksmith, who became an instrument repairman, bandleader and music
teacher. Later when the family moved to St-Hyacinthe, the father
worked for the famous organ-builder Joseph Casavant and led the
townband. Calixa showed talent early and played the organ in the
cathedral at the age of eleven. Two years later he gave a piano
recital at the Théâtre Royal in Montréal.
In Montréal Lavallée met Léon Derome, a butcher who loved
music. He became Lavallée's lifelong patron and friend, often
coming to his aid in bad times.
About this time, Calixa tired of regular lessons and left Montréal
to try his luck in the United States. In New Orleans, he won a
competition which in turn won him a job as accompanist to the famous
Spanish violinist Olivera. After touring with Olivera in Brazil and
the West Indies, Lavallée joined the Northern army during the
American Civil War.
Leaving the U.S. army as a lieutenant, Lavallée returned to
Montréal where he gave piano lessons and played cornet in a theatre
orchestra.
In 1865 he returned to the United States to teach and give a
series of concert tours. He married and began to work with Arnold de
Thiers, with whom he composed a comic opera called "Loulou".
The night before its first performance, the owner of the opera house
was shot and the theatre closed. Lavallée, who had been conductor
and artistic director of the theatre, the NewYork Grand Opera House,
found himself out of a job.
He returned to Montréal in 1872 to a warm welcome from his
friends, and had soon set up a studio with Jehin Prume and Rositadel
Vecchio, well-known musicians. Success in Montréal brought him the
fulfillment of a lifelong dream, to continue his musical education
in Paris. A group of friends led by Derome made him a monthly
allowance while he studied with Bazin, Boieldieu and Marmontel. A
Lavallée symphony was performed by a Paris orchestra in 1874 and
his teachers predicted a great future for him.
Lavallée decided to devote his life to the establishment of a
conservatory in Canada. To prove that talent existed, he mounted a
Gounod drama with an all-Canadian cast of 80. The venture was a
great success and Lavallée had high hopes of interesting the
government in his idea. But although the public responded warmly to
his productions, official quarters gave nothing but vague promises.
It was during this Quebec period, in 1880 that Lavallée composed
the music of "O Canada" for the "Congrès national
des Canadiens-Français". But he could see nothing ahead but
routine teaching and playing, so once again he took off for the
United States.
Things took a turn for the better. He was appointed an organist
and choirmaster; he toured with the famous Hungarian soprano Etelka
Gerster; he increased his composing; many of his works were
performed including "Tiq", a "melodramatic musical
satire"on the Indian question and his comic opera "The
Widow". As a member of the Music Teachers' National
Association, he organized a number of very successful concerts, and
finally, in 1887, was elected president.
In 1888 Lavallée represented the professional musicians of
America in London and introduced American compositions in London
where the Lord Mayor gave a dinner in his honour.
Lavallée's health had been poor for some years and after his
return to Boston became much worse. By the autumn of 1890 he was
bedridden and in financial straits. He died on January 21, 1891,at
the age of 49, leaving some 60 works, only about half of which have
been found.
Lavallée was buried near Boston but his body was brought back to
Canada in 1933 and now rests in Montréal Cemetery Côte-des-Neiges.
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Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier
Adolphe Routhier (1839-1920) was born in Saint-Placide (Lower
Canada). He was a distinguished lawyer who, like many members of his
profession, was active in the community life of both his profession
and his co-religionists. He was appointed a judge in 1873 and was a
founding member of the Royal Society of Canada. He was probably
better known as a poet than as a judge, and it was natural that the
Honourable Théodore Robitaille, Lieutenant Governor of Quebec,
should turn to him to write the words of a hymn for the great "Congrès
national des Canadians-Français" in 1880. Since Routhier was
president of the Congress at the time, a happier choice could hardly
have been made. His poem for "O Canada!" was widely
praised on its first presentation.
Routhier who wrote under the name of Jean Piquefort, was later
Chief Justice of Quebec until his retirement from the Bench in 1906.
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The Honourable Robert Stanley Weir
Robert Stanley Weir (1856-1926) was born in Hamilton, in what was
then Canada West. He took all his higher education in Montreal, and
was qualified for both teaching and the law. He chose law and rose
rapidly in the profession, becoming in due course, like Routhier, a
judge first as Recorder of the City of Montréal and later to the
Exchequer Court of Canada (now the Federal Court of Canada). He
wrote both learned legal works and poetry, and his fame as a writer
won him election as a Fellow of the Royal Society which Routhier had
helped found.
Weir had been a member of the Quebec Legislative Assembly for
Argenteuil from 1903 to 1910, during which period he served in the
Parent and Gouin Ministries as Minister without portfolio, Minister
of Public Works or Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
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Parliamentary Action
By the time the World War broke out in 1914, "O Canada"
was the best known patriotic song in Canada, edging out "The
Maple leaf Forever" and others less well-known today.
1924 - The association of Canadian Clubs passed a unanimous
resolution recommending the Weir version as suitable for use at Club
meetings.
Since then the I.O.D.E. and the Canadian Authors Association have
endorsed it and in 1958 the Native Sons of Canada found in favour of
it.
1927 - An official version of "O Canada" was authorized
for singing in Canadian schools and for use at public functions.
1942 - July 27. The Prime Minister, the Right Honourable William
Lyon Mackenzie King, was asked if he did not think this an
appropriate time for proclaiming a national anthem. He replied that
"There are times and seasons for all things and this time of
war when there are other more important questions with which
parliament has to deal, we might well continue to follow what has
become the custom in Canada in recent years of regarding "God
Save The King" and "O Canada" each as national
anthems and entitled to similar recognition." He said further
that this was his opinion, his government's opinion and he had no
doubt it was the opinion of most people in the country.
Some years later, his successor as Prime Minister, the Right
Honourable Louis St-Laurent made a similar statement.
1964 - A government resolution authorized the formation of a
special joint committee to consider the status of "God Save The
Queen" and "O Canada".
1966 - January 31. The Prime Minister, the Right Honourable
Lester B. Pearson, placed a notice of motion on the order paper
"That the government be authorized to take such steps as may be
necessary to provide that "O Canada" shall be the National
Anthem of Canada while "God Save The Queen" shall be the
Royal Anthem of Canada.
1967 - March 15. The special joint committee "unanimously
recommends that the government be authorized to adopt forthwith the
music for "O Canada" composed by Calixa Lavallée as the
music of the National Anthem of Canada with the following notation
added to the sheet music: With dignity, not too slowly.
"God Save The Queen" was found to be in the public
domain as the Royal Anthem of Canada, but for "O Canada"
the committee deemed it "essential to take such steps as
necessary to appropriate the copyright to the music providing that
it shall belong to Her Majesty in right of Canada for all time. This
provision would also include that no other person shall be entitled
to copyright in the music or any arrangements or adaptations
thereof."
The committee recommended further study of the lyrics. It
suggested keeping the original French version and using the Weir
English version with minor changes - that is replacing two of the
"Stand on guard" phrases with "From far and
wide" and "God keep our land".
There was no trouble with the music copyright which had by now
descended to Gordon V. Thompson. They were willing to sell for $1,
but the heirs of Judge Weir objected to the changes in the original
version. Since Judge Weir died in 1926, the Weir version would not
come into public domain until 1976. There was some doubt that the
Weir family had legal grounds for objection since Thompson's
apparently held copyright on both music and English words. However
the committee preferred to settle the matter amicably if at all
possible. The Government acquired the rights from G.V. Thompson in
1970.
The version recommended by the committee:
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.
1972 - February 28 - The Secretary of State of Canada, the
Honourable Gérard Pelletier, presented a bill in the House of
Commons proposing the adoption of "O Canada" as the
National Anthem of Canada. The recommendations of the 1967 study in
Parliament are incorporated in the bill, which did not receive
further study in Parliament and died on the order paper. The same
legislation was reintroduced by Mr. Pelletier's successors at
further sessions of Parliament; no action was ever taken.
1980 - June 18 - The Secretary of State of Canada, the Honourable
Francis Fox, presented a bill, similar to previously presented bills
on "O Canada", fulfilling a promise made earlier in the
House that "O Canada" be proclaimed as Canada's national
anthem as soon as possible in this year of the centenary of the
first rendition. The bill was unanimously accepted by the House of
Commons and the Senate on June 27; Royal assent was given the same
day.
July 1 - The Governor General, His Excellency the Right
Honourable Edward Schreyer, proclaimed the Act respecting the
National Anthem of Canada, thus making "O Canada" an
official symbol of the country. A public ceremony was held at noon
on Parliament Hill in front of thousands of Canadians. Descendants
of Weir and Routhier were on the official platform, as well as the
successor of Robitaille, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Côté.
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Original Poem by Weir
Originally "O Canada" was a patriotic poem by Sir
Adolphe-Basile Routhier, a Quebec judge. Calixa Lavallée, the
well-known Canadian composer, was commissioned to set it to music,
and it was first sung in 1880 during a national convention of French
Canadians in Quebec City. Many English versions have appeared, but
the one which was widely accepted was written in 1908 by another
judge, R. Stanley Weir, in honour of the 300th anniversary of the
founding of Quebec City. It was amended in 1913, 1914 and 1916 and
published in an official form at the time of the Diamond Jubilee of
Confederation in 1927 and during the Royal visit of 1939. A slightly
modified version of the first verse of Weir's poem was proclaimed as
Canada's national anthem in 1980. The original poem of 1908 by
Stanley Weir reads as follows:
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! O Canada! etc.
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
O Canada! O Canada! etc.
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
O Canada! O Canada! etc.
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English Translation of the French
Version of the National Anthem
- O Canada! Land of our forefathers
Thy brow is wreathed with a glorious garland of flowers.
As in thy arm ready to wield the sword,
So also is it ready to carry the cross.
Thy history is an epic of the most brilliant exploits.
Ch.
Thy valour steeped in faith
Will protect our homes and our rights
Will protect our homes and our rights.
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Music and lyrics
As the National Anthem Act only sets the melody for the
anthem, musicians are free to arrange the score to suit their
requirements.
There is no copyright on the melody and the words of the national
anthem, the Act having declared them to be in the public domain. It
is possible, however, to copyright the arrangements made to the
melody.
It is possible to translate the words of the national anthem in
languages other than English or French; it should be kept in mind,
however, that this translated version will not have an official
status.
Playing of anthems at events
There is no specific rule as to when it is appropriate to sing
the national anthem at an event. It is up to the organizers to
determine if "O Canada" will be sung at the beginning or
at the end of a ceremony. If two anthems are to be played at the
beginning of an event, "O Canada" should be played first
followed by the other one. When anthems are played at the end of an
event, "O Canada" should be played last.
Etiquette during the playing of the national anthem
As a matter of respect and tradition, it is proper to stand for
the playing of "O Canada" as well as for the anthem of any
other nation.
It is traditional for civilian men to take off their hats during
the playing of the national anthem. Women as well as children do not
remove their hats on such occasions.
There is no law or behaviour governing the playing of the
national anthem; it is left to the good citizenship of individuals.
Commercial use
"O Canada" and "God Save The Queen" are in
the public domain and may be used without having to obtain
permission from the Government.
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