General Robert Goodwin III Presents the History of the Canadian National Anthem

“O Canada” is the name of Canada’s national anthem, which will be remembered and recited today by millions of Canadians here in Canada and around the world to celebrate Canada Day. Canada Day is the national day of Canada that celebrates the enactment on July 1, 1867 of the British North American Act, 1867, referred commonly today in Canada as the Constitution Act, 1867, which united three colonies into the country of Canada and part of the British Empire.

“O Canada” had its origins as a poem. Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier, a judge and popular poet, originally composed “O Canada” as a patriotic French Canadian poem. Théodore Robitaille, the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, first commissioned the song in 1880 for the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day ceremony. The lyrical music was originally written in French by Calixa Lavallée, which was later translated into English in 1906.

Robert Stanley Weir, a lawyer, is credited as the writer of an additional English version, which was not an accurate translation of the original French version. Robert Weir’s English version was revised twice and finally transformed into its present form and became the official national anthem of Canada in 1980 by an Act of Parliament. The National Anthem Act authorizing “O Canada” as the national anthem of Canada received Royal Assent, became effective on July 1, 1980, and was included in the 1980 Dominion Day celebration.

The performance and use of "O Canada" is not restricted by any government regulations. The National Anthem Act specifically placed the music and lyrics of "O Canada" in the public domain and allows the national anthem to be used and reproduced freely.

The official English and French versions of “O Canada” are listed below:

Official English Version:
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.

Official French Version:
Ô Canada!
Terre de nos aïeux,

Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.