[email protected]

I have a Canadian question. My friend Steve went on and on about it, but I
want a better opinion. (Because Steve is actually originally from *Ohio*.)


"O Canada" isn't the same in French as in English.
I mean musically it's the same, but the English translation (which isn't the
only or first, just the most currently used) doesn't say the same stuff as
the French.

Is it because the French are more likely to be Catholic? Is it just mostly
used instrumentally?

Here's a german site with some info and a good MIDI:
http://www.north-america.de/index2.htm?icanada5.htm&2v

and there's a really good Canadian site [which I have seen before and can't
now found, but have found more background on my own question above...
without the French lyrics, though...]

http://www3.sympatico.ca/653squadron/anthem.html

Here are lots of national anthems:
http://www.countryreports.org/anthems/


For those in the readership who aren't American,
the U.S. has "The Star Spangle Banner" which uses the tune of an English
drinking song. VERY hard to sing, though.

In elementary school, our morning routine involved the pledge of allegiance
followed by an easier song to sing, "My Country 'Tis of Thee," which is from
another English drinking song. Oh. No, it's "God Save the Queen" with
American words.

My country 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of libery,
Of thee I sing.
(not very clear, grammatically, for children or
other living creatures)

Land where my fathers died
Land of the pilgrims' pride
(which is now the name of a brand of pre-packaged
poultry sold in supermarkets)
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring.

So there.

Sandra

Tia Leschke

> I have a Canadian question. My friend Steve went on and on about it, but
I
> want a better opinion. (Because Steve is actually originally from
*Ohio*.)
>
>
> "O Canada" isn't the same in French as in English.
> I mean musically it's the same, but the English translation (which isn't
the
> only or first, just the most currently used) doesn't say the same stuff as
> the French.
>
> Is it because the French are more likely to be Catholic? Is it just
mostly
> used instrumentally?

It took some digging, but I found both sets of lyrics with a translation of
the French. I think the French version was the original. Here's where I
found it. I just skimmed the site, but you might find more of interest.
http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/anthem_e.cfm#a8

The Canadian Anthem
"O Canada"

O Canada! Our homeand 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.

Refrain
O Canada, glorious and free!
We stand on guard, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
***********************************
I was surprised to find that there are several more verses. I've never
heard them sung. And I change some of the words. Since it isn't *my*
native land, I sing "our home *on* native land. I also kind of figure that
if patriotism is a good thing, it should include all of us, so I sing "True
patriot love in all *of us* command."
************************************
O Canada (en francais)

O Canada, terre de nos aieux,
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




>
> Here's a german site with some info and a good MIDI:
> http://www.north-america.de/index2.htm?icanada5.htm&2v
>
> and there's a really good Canadian site [which I have seen before and
can't
> now found, but have found more background on my own question above...
> without the French lyrics, though...]
>
> http://www3.sympatico.ca/653squadron/anthem.html
>
> Here are lots of national anthems:
> http://www.countryreports.org/anthems/
>
>
> For those in the readership who aren't American,
> the U.S. has "The Star Spangle Banner" which uses the tune of an English
> drinking song. VERY hard to sing, though.
>
> In elementary school, our morning routine involved the pledge of
allegiance
> followed by an easier song to sing, "My Country 'Tis of Thee," which is
from
> another English drinking song. Oh. No, it's "God Save the Queen" with
> American words.
>
> My country 'tis of thee,
> Sweet land of libery,
> Of thee I sing.
> (not very clear, grammatically, for children or
> other living creatures)
>
> Land where my fathers died
> Land of the pilgrims' pride
> (which is now the name of a brand of
pre-packaged
> poultry sold in supermarkets)
> From every mountainside
> Let freedom ring.
>
> So there.
>
> Sandra
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Lucie Caunter

thanks for the sites. And here some answers.

SandraDodd@... wrote:

>I have a Canadian question. My friend Steve went on and on about it, but I
>want a better opinion. (Because Steve is actually originally from *Ohio*.)
>
>
>"O Canada" isn't the same in French as in English.
>I mean musically it's the same, but the English translation (which isn't the
>only or first, just the most currently used) doesn't say the same stuff as
>the French.
>
>
Yes the words are different. The angle is roman catholic with the
french version. Talks of front of the face being santify, and of
carrying the cross as well as the swords are RC. The english version is
more secular, universal with talk of our love of the land and being
temper by it.. Often these days both version gets intertwined, starting
with some french and ending with some english.

>Is it because the French are more likely to be Catholic? Is it just mostly
>used instrumentally?
>
Yes and no to both questions. And there is an inuit version. They may
even sing a three lingual at northen sport events.

>
>Here's a german site with some info and a good MIDI:
>http://www.north-america.de/index2.htm?icanada5.htm&2v
>
>and there's a really good Canadian site [which I have seen before and can't
>now found, but have found more background on my own question above...
>without the French lyrics, though...]
>
> http://www3.sympatico.ca/653squadron/anthem.html
>
>Here are lots of national anthems:
>http://www.countryreports.org/anthems/
>
>
>For those in the readership who aren't American,
>the U.S. has "The Star Spangle Banner" which uses the tune of an English
>drinking song. VERY hard to sing, though.
>
>In elementary school, our morning routine involved the pledge of allegiance
>followed by an easier song to sing, "My Country 'Tis of Thee," which is from
>another English drinking song. Oh. No, it's "God Save the Queen" with
>American words.
>
>My country 'tis of thee,
>Sweet land of libery,
>Of thee I sing.
> (not very clear, grammatically, for children or
>other living creatures)
>
>Land where my fathers died
>Land of the pilgrims' pride
> (which is now the name of a brand of pre-packaged
>poultry sold in supermarkets)
>>From every mountainside
>Let freedom ring.
>
>So there.
>
>Sandra
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>[email protected]
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>
>

Heidi Wordhouse-Dykema

So, what are the words to the two english drinking songs?

I'd like something a little more fun to sing when it comes time to spangle
stars.
Heidi

Nancy Wooton

on 1/2/03 4:30 PM, Heidi Wordhouse-Dykema at heidi@... wrote:

> So, what are the words to the two english drinking songs?
>
> I'd like something a little more fun to sing when it comes time to spangle
> stars.

Googling "star spangled banner" got a music facsimile with the composer's
name, John Stafford Smith; another google got to a U.K. site about him:

http://www.softdata.co.uk/gloucester/smith.htm
John Stafford Smith

John Stafford Smith was born in 1750 and christened in Gloucester
Cathedral.After his education at the Cathedral School he was   a choir boy
at the Chapel Royal London. He also studied under Dr. Boyce. He gained a
reputation as a fine organist and composer and gained membership of the
select Anachreonic Society. Member have included J.S.Bach, Henry Purcell and
James Boswell.

In 1780 he composed the music to the societies constitutional song. It was
entitled " To Anachreon in Heaven  ". It was inspired by a 6th century Greek
poet and was about the pleasures of wine and love.

He played as organist at the Three Choirs Festival in 1790 at Gloucester. In
1836 he died at the age of 85.

His song became popular in England and America. During the war of 1812, the
British fleet attacked Fort Mchenry which protected Baltimore. Frances Scott
Key was aboard a British war ship trying to get the release of an American
prisoner. He was held so that he could not pass on any warning about the
attack.

When the sun rose next morning he notice the Stars and Stripes was still
flying. He then penned the following verse to the tune of John Stafford
Smith.

Oh! say, can you see,by the dawns early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last Gleamings

Whose broad Stripes and bright Stars,thro' the perilous fight

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming

and the rockets red glare,the bombs bursting in air

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

Oh! say, does the star spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.


This was printed on hand bills the next day and distributed through
Baltimore. Interestingly, although the American navy and army had recognised
the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem of the united states for
some time, it was not until 1931 that it was officially recognised by
congress.

You will see the stars and stripes flying from Gloucester Cathedral to this
day because of this connection.

****
One more google got the original lyrics of "To Anachreon in Heaven"
http://www.bcpl.net/~etowner/anacreon.html

Which, while associated with wine, is not what one would think of as a
drinking song, IMO.

Nancy

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/2/03 6:30:53 PM, ikonstitcher@... writes:

<< Which, while associated with wine, is not what one would think of as a

drinking song, IMO. >>

A bad drinking song with a nearly unsingable tune.

The other isn't a drinking song, but the anthem (a hymn, really) of the whole
British Commonwealth, called God Save the King/Queen, whichever.

God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us;
God save the Queen!