I am Canadian! I am proud to be Canadian. I wish every Canadian was. In September of 2007 an elementary school in New Brunswick decided to forgo singing our national anthem, daily, in the classroom. The principal decided it would be quite sufficient to only sing it during the monthly school assembly. "The principal has told the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal that using the anthem at the monthly assemblies would give it "more prominence, more importance." What a crock! His reason seems to be because there was one child who, for reasons unknown to us, would wait out in the hall until the anthem was concluded. "A school board spokesman said the child's situation played a role in Millett's(principal) decision to drop the anthem." The Principal's decision has since been overturned. Why do we cater to a few? Why do we change the rules for all to accommodate a small number? It's the same with peanut allergies. Because one or two children attending the school are allergic to peanuts, it is turned into a peanut free environment. If my daughter's school had done that she would have starved to death as she refused to eat anything but peanut butter and jam sandwiches from the time she was six until......actually, I think she still has that for lunch. If your child has a life threatening food allergy, take your child home for lunch or better yet, home school the kid. If you don't want your child to sing the national anthem, he doesn't have to but why deprive the rest of the school? Canadian children should know the words to their national anthem! *stepping down off my soap box now*
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.


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.