I was watching TV (something I rarely do) when I heard that the upcoming news was going to do a piece on how Americans supposable hate the Canadian national anthem, and how they apparantly boo it at hockey games... but then I got off my arse and did something usefull and missed the piece.

So... Americans in particular: Is there something you dislike about the Canadian National Anthem??

Just so you know, I think it kind of sucks.. I wish it had no references to religion, etc like it does; but they don't change it very often. Also, I think your american anthem sucks too! (j/k) Heh.

I think it has more to do with the fact that we royally rubbed their faces in the snow during the Olympics. You see, American life (at least the life of the sports-watching American) is governed by the rules of schoolyard politics that they learnt at the age of 5 as a first approximation of social conduct. Somehow, progress eluded them. And so, the notion of graciously accepting defeat is incomprehensible to them.

Originally posted by jjhlk
I was watching TV (something I rarely do) when I heard that the upcoming news was going to do a piece on how Americans supposable hate the Canadian national anthem, and how they apparantly boo it at hockey games

Complete Bollox.

Never judge an entire population by actions of a few.

Originally posted by jjhlk
I was watching TV (something I rarely do) when I heard that the upcoming news was going to do a piece on how Americans supposable hate the Canadian national anthem, and how they apparantly boo it at hockey games... but then I got off my arse and did something usefull and missed the piece.

So... Americans in particular: Is there something you dislike about the Canadian National Anthem??

Just so you know, I think it kind of sucks.. I wish it had no references to religion, etc like it does; but they don't change it very often. Also, I think your american anthem sucks too! (j/k) Heh.

How about the French version? It's much better. Also, no references to God.

Have to agree, the French version is nicer.

*Shrugs*

Our national anthem is at least stirring - but it does suck.

I've always thought that Leonard Cohen's "Democracy" would be a good anthem, if a bit long:

t's coming through a hole in the air
]From those nights in Tiananmen Square
It's coming from the feel
That it ain't exactly real
Or it's real, but it ain't exactly there
]From the wars against disorder
]From the sirens night and day
]From the fires of the homeless
]From the ashes of the gay
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

It's coming through a crack in the wall
On a visionary flood of alcohol
]From the staggering account
Of the Sermon on the Mount
Which I don't pretend to understand at all
It's coming from the silence
On the dock of the bay
]From the brave, the bold, the battered
Heart of Chevrolet
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

It's coming from the sorrow on the street
The holy places where the races meet
]From the homicidal bitchin'
That goes down in every kitchen
To determine who will serve and who will eat
]From the wells of disappointment
Where the women kneel to pray
For the grace of God in the desert here
And the desert far away
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

CHORUS
Sail on, sail on
O mighty Ship of State!
To the Shores of Need
Past the Reefs of Greed
Through the Squalls of Hate
Sail on, sail on, sail on...

It's coming to America first
The cradle of the best and of the worst
It's here they got the range
And the machinery for change
And it's here they got the spiritual thirst
It's here the family's broken
And it's here the lonely say
That the heart has got to open
In a fundamental way
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

It's coming from the women and the men
O baby, we'll be making love again
We'll be going down so deep
That the river's going to weep
And the mountain's going to shout amen!
It's coming like the tidal flood
Beneath the lunar sway
Imperial, mysterious
In amorous array
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

CHORUS

I'm sentimental, if you know what I mean
I love the country but I can't stand the scene
And I'm neither left or right
I'm just staying home tonight
Getting lost in that hopeless little screen
But I'm stubborn as those garbage bags
That time cannot decay
I'm junk but I'm still holding up
This little wild bouquet
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

But then, we can't remember our national anthem as is. ;)

Oh yes, and for the love of christ, we don't all boo the Canadian national anthem. The fallacy in that claim is obvious.

I think we should change the Canadian national anthem to Bryan Adam's stirring 'Everything I Do...'

And the UK one to God Save the Queen (Sex Pistols version)

I didn't mean to say that ALL Americans dislike the Canadian National Anthem... ;) And in fact, I didn't even really say that any did, I only asked if they did. I'm referring to Joeman's comment here. I don't want to group people as much as you don't want to be grouped!

I agree, the French Anthem is much better. I hope to learn some French next year (as a class... French 11 and 12) in addition to my self Japanese studying. (a shame they don't offer it) I'm kind of glad that they don't offer Japanese, that way I'll be forced to learn French, which I would really like to do. It's just not as interesting as the Japanese.


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.


There are actually some interesting laws concerning the anthem. The National Anthem Act says that while the melody of the song must stay the same, musicians may arrange the scores as they see fit. And the anthem itself cannot be copywritten. But if people rearrange it, they can copywrite that. Also, there are no laws concerning etiquette during the anthem, although they've recommended a procedure (men take off hats, etc.).

God Save the Queen is also public domain. But I hate that song so who cares! (I don't like canada's ties to the queen; and the whole song itself reeks with religion reference. the title even!)


O 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.


My french pronounciation isn't great, and most of the french i've learnt is forgotten. That will make memorisation much more difficult :<

I have been to many hockey games in many cities, and have never heard the Canadian anthem booed. Not to say that it doesn't happen, I just havent heard it. You put enough beer into the right idiot, and anything is possible.
The French version is better, I agree. Although dissassociation from the French may be a good thing. At least where I am sitting.

Lol i don't know if anyone i know remebers even the tune to the British National anthem except it probably involves the words Britania and god save the queen in it somewhere...we really should update that...but then it's not really been a big thing for the majority of Brits these days imo.

i find the old USSR National anthem realy good(the version by the red army choir), it got spirte and is not messed up by a countles amounts of huge drums and trompts.

p.s. i dont know what they a singing, except for part of it is about the people and the land, and that there a min. 2 version of it,
the original and a DJ. Stalin remix version.


Moderator edit - profanity
the orange word was put in place of another word by the evil teachers red pen

[Possable Blasphamy]
Hmm as national anthems are a much overlooked symbol of national pride for most countries these days (Comon who honestly can hum even 2 bars to theirs?) maybe some of us on here should get together with something like Ejay or the such like and remix a few of our national anthems and post them here in an attempt to reviatalise the relics of national pride ^_^
[/Possable Blasphamy]