Do you remember the days when “O Canada” was played in the cinemas before a movie?

Every (or almost every) morning from Monday to Friday, I get to hear our National anthem sung by “Giselle and Sticks” on TVO Kids. At 6am to start the day, they sing “O Canada”. Sticks adds a little extra umph at the end, which is a hoot because at 6am I can’t always sing along. It is great. My little guy is now learning our anthem and he doesn’t even know it.

It has me thinking this morning though. Why is it that we don’t hear it as often anymore? I truly think I only hear it at sporting events like Football and Hockey and on Canada Day. We used to sing it every morning at school, but I am not sure they even do that anymore. Has “O Canada” gone away with the Lord’s Prayer? I am not actually sure how to get more of it in our lives other than singing it ourselves. It really had me thinking of all the times I heard it growing up, both in English and French. I guess this morning I really missed the patriotic side of me that used to hum it at school while doing work in class.

Here is a brief little summary of the history of our National anthem. If you want the full story you can go directly to the website and read all about it :).

“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.

Perhaps, I have you humming along with me now that you have read this?