Many of you want to comment on the news. This is Your Space.
Would like to offer the suggestion of changing the line: "In all our sons command" to "In all our hearts command"
Thank you for the opportunity for input.
It is a lame excuse by the Prime Minister that he refuses to entertain the idea, for as you state it is not too long ago that some changes were made.
Perhaps we might sing 'True patriot love all citizens command.' In any case it could be changed and why not?
John J. McNamee
Regina
or country of origin) is included and not have to battle the language issue in the future. This seems to me a no brainer. The Canadian anthem was written at a time when women were not "people" under Canadian law. The word "Man" did not also include women...it meant "Man" because "Man" was all that counted: women had no vote, no franchise, no property, and few rights. They were not allowed to be beaten by their husbands with sticks thicker
than their thumbs, but that's about it. What the heck is the issue here? The world changes, our country changes...the song that symbolizes Canadians' feelings about their country should at least be as current has their country's beliefs and values.
Shelly Lambe
North Bay, ON
"In all our Son's Command"...What's the big deal !!
My thoughts on this are that any person, who would take the offense and join the hue and cry to change the National Anthem, takes themselves way too seriously. Lighten up! In this Country we have bigger "Fish to Fry"...such as the health care crisis...the National Debt...our sinking dollar. I could go on but it seems I don't have as much time on my hands as these self-absorbed whiners.
A Native Son
Jim Bifano
With Regards to the national anthem, leave it alone. Don't bastardize it and twist it around because of one word. The next thing that will happen is every ethnic, political, and religious group in Canada will find fault and want something changed. The national anthem will end up being revised every year to the point where it will become a show tune with no words at all. You can keep some of the people happy some of the time, but you can't keep everyone happy all the time. This is your country; this is the anthem, live with it.
Mark Arbour
Toronto, Ontario
I think that the idea of changing the national anthem is a great idea! Canadians have embraced difference, so why not have an inclusive anthem that better reflects the one thing Canadians seem to have in common - tolerance?
One suggestion though, I don't see how you can address the problematic nature of excluding women without addressing other, equally sinister qualities of the anthem - namely references to God and the "home and native land reference". I think if we're going to change it, we should do it all at once.
So far, I can think of one major improvement to the anthem other then changing the "sons" reference - "Our home AND native land" should be changed to "Our home's ON native land".
This debate reminds me of why I love this country!
Dave Shortt
Vancouver, BC
It's THE Canadian National Anthem, folks. Not a draft, nor a "work in progress," nor a briefing document for some focus group. What next, trying to identify the sex of the beaver on the Canadian nickel?
We, as Canadians, need to stop pandering to everyone who feels victimized, regardless of whether any slight is intended. Is there anyone who can honestly say that, in singing our National Anthem, they are trying to exclude our nation's daughters?
To me, this demonstrates well how activists - particularly feminists and special interest groups - can bring about changes to our most time-honoured of institutions, regardless of the seriousness of their project.
Sterling Sunley
Richmond, B.C.
Are you people serious?!!! Women are this pissed off that they would actually waste government time to change one word in the anthem, please. Our government has more important things to focus on. I feel this whole women's rights thing has gone way too far. This is the greatest country in the world. Women should be happy their country isn't being bombed like some other places in the world. All of us are free and safe. We should thank the millions of people who lost there lives to give us that. To me changing the anthem is an insult to all those people. The anthem is about freedom and pride. Every time I sing it I feel that.
Bobby
Windsor, ON
"Oh Canada
Our home, but rightly native land
True, non-judgemental love
In all thy children's command
With censored hearts
We'll see thee rise
The true north, strong and 'pc'
From far and wide
Oh Canada
We politically scrutinise thee
Why keep our land
Glorious and free?
Oh Canada
We'll protect ourselves from thee
Oh Canada
Who'll stand on guard for thee?"
Stop it
C.T. Paterson,
Ottawa
Your story entitled Famous 5 group fights to rewrite 'O Canada' really caught my interest because I am very patriotic. However, I also am sick and tired of the male and female chauvinism that is still prevalent in this society. It is sad to see such a sexist and chauvinistic world in 2001.
That line "all thy sons command" in that beautiful anthem does disgrace the anthem and [it] should be changed. We changed our anthem to accommodate all the foreigners (immigrants) coming here, so why is it so hard to change it again to show equality and respect for all? The 'all of us' commands option would be very suitable. Thank you for bringing this issue to the forefront and maybe someday we will have true equality among all Canadian people.
I personally have been the victim of female chauvinism several times and it is a shame.
Thanks for the opportunity to give my views on this topic.
Yours sincerely,
Robert W. Martin
Orillia
My wife and I have lived in Canada since 1952 and became Canadian citizens in the 1950's. The country has been good to us. We raised four children and have nine grandchildren. We participate fully in the life of our community.
Singing national anthems usually strengthens peoples feeling of citizenship, makes people aware of the bond that unites us with our fellow citizens. Unfortunately, I have difficulty singing the national anthem in its present form.
I was not born in Canada and hence Canada is not my native land. I am not a native son. There must be thousands of Canadian who were born elsewhere and who are forced to mouth meaningless words or have to keep their mouth shut when the anthem is sung.
This comment leaves aside the recent comments made by others that the anthem mentions sons and leaves out daughters.
Perhaps some adjustments can be made some day.
Henk Saaltink
Abbotsford, B.C.
"Thy sons command" most likely was referring to God's son, Jesus. In other words... as we are singing in the first person, "Our" home and native land, "thy" then would refer to God and should have been capitalized. And "sons command" was most likely meant to be "son's command." Then the meaning takes on a different slant.
When we say "True patriot love in all thy son's command" then means we would love with the all encompassing "command" of His Son, Jesus. Since God did in fact charge Jesus with [that] certain command. This lyric makes more sense this way. The lyric speaks in the first person about God's son's command. We express true patriot love as Jesus would in his command.
Remember people, these lyrics were written in the first person plural addressed to God. The song is a song of praise to God essentially about our pride and sense of responsibility to the gift God has given us.
This explanation diffuses the female sexist issues, which I agree "would" be wrong if taken the way it was expressed in the news. Based on this plausible interpretation, the issue is a non-issue other then trying to find out through personal diaries, notes, of the writer as to which way he was going.
As we know, several re-writes occurred that for sure would have slightly changed the original lyrics. Losing the apostrophe on sons is certainly possible. Take care and Goodbye. (Good-bye was originally "God Bless ye" So...May God Bless you and keep you in His Son's Grace.)
Tom Macdonald,
Coquitlamvv
I agree, Thy sons' command excludes daughters, etc. Change the wording to 'In all thy hearts' command'
Roger Lalonde
I think it's high time we changed the lyrics to "O Canada" to include girls and women. Definitely. Words are powerful and speak volumes, quite literally.
Jayne
Georgetown, On
I don't see the problem with changing the lyrics. They have, after all, been changed before without much fuss. Is the excitement over the proposed change due to the change itself or what is being changed? Lots of people are tired of political correctness and may react very badly to this. What if another non-political part of the song was changed? Would there be as much outcry against it?
Anyway, things change and people must learn to accept that, even if it's only some song lyrics. We're very bad at dealing with any sort of changes.
Yours sincerely,
Audrey Dianne Verge
Yes, change it. I am all for the inclusion of everyone. There were revisions before as reported in the article, so this should be updated too. Why is it that when it comes to political correctness, there is major backlash and huge
media coverage? Why wasn't this treated just as the other revisions were? Just do it and get on with life, making this world a better place for all.
Marcia Bates
Calgary, Alberta
My gosh, what next? These women who are hell bent on changing O Canada, should face the facts and realize that this is our National Anthem. Our children learn it and respect it, adults respect it, Canadians are proud when it's played. Just because you disagree with a single word, doesn't mean that we the Canadian people feel it's the right thing to do and change it. There are many other problems out there in the world that you can be putting your energy towards...how about world hunger!! Leave the Anthem alone!!
Brenda McDonald
British Columbia, Canada
Although I'm not strongly against changing the wording, I think that it would be best to suggest the new wording.
Coming up with something that really works is not as easy. In all thy youth command might work. In all thy young command also blends in with sons (for those who slip to the old form).
In all thy hearts command would work, were it not for the next line. Changing the glowing heart to glowing smiles might work but really changes the imagery.
Etceteras. etceteras. etceteras...
As for the anthem being an ancient rock of Canadian history, it's been changed before. I can't see it being
so bad to change it again. We can still use the change to teach our young. It's rather like a totem pole that changes to reflect the history of a native people -- It is the changes that mark history as much as the original form -- In fact there are those who say that our own totems should be designed to shape how we want our young to grow up thinking. In that case, changing it would be far more valuable than leaving it fixed.
Stephen Samuel
Just Another Radical
Just what women need more "token" equality. Leave the National Anthem alone. What's next, will we be removing the work "God".
Tracy Bellefontaine
I have a solution for this problem of our politically incorrect anthem (I should point out that I still sing the old version): replace it with "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Everyone knows this song, it is a classic, written and performed by Canadians, and would give us bragging rights in being the first nation on the planet to use a certified Billboard #1 hit as our anthem.
Leave the song alone; it is just fine the way it is. A national anthem isn't computer software, with a new version coming out every time you finally learn the old one. Anyone disturbed over the "racist" and "sexist" content in our wonderful anthem really seems to have excess time on his or her hands.
David Maxwell
Burnaby, BC
Yes,
For sure we should try to amend the Anthem to not exclude women, and while we're at it, try to do something with "our home and native land", which, as an immigrant now a citizen, I find irksome.
And while we're at it, consider how much public input there was to adopting the Maple Leaf as our National Ensign when there are no red maple trees here on the western prairies.
I know it was to placate Quebec that we needed a "non-English" symbol as our focus for national unity. And we all know how well that worked! We might as well just kept the Union Jack...which I proudly display in front of my
home.
And before I sign off, one more practice is especially irritating: The practice of the government at official ceremonies to sing one sentence of the "National Anthem" in English, and the next one in French. These are two
different songs, with two different sets of meaning. It tries to please everyone and ends up pleasing no one. Let us sing the Anthem (in whatever politically correct version we end up choosing!) in English AND French.
Which begs the question of whether the National Anthem is EVER sung in French, anywhere in Canada.
Dr. Travis Cannaday
Drumheller, Alberta
The answer is simple. Just have the music. Never reference or udder the words as very few people could tell what they are anyway. On the other hand it may not matter as the chances of keeping this rag tag band of special interest groups together under one anthem for much longer is slim.
Glenn Smith
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Hi.
Its interesting that so many seem to take such deep offense to an idea. As a girl I remember being bothered by having to accept that every he, him, his..."son" etc. was suppose to represent me as well - and at 8 years old I don't think I knew enough to consider myself a feminist. Its simply a natural reaction for anyone to want to be represented fairly and treated with respect in society, and its not one little thing that makes a difference - its many little things put together. Anthems should reflect a country as a whole - past, present & future - I think the lyrics could be updated. I think its always important to consider other people's ideas and to try an understand each other's perspectives and concerns.
Shawna Nelles
Montreal
I think updating the anthem is the ONLY way to go. It has been changed already several times in the recent past and this shows that the necessary flexibility is there, whether to accommodate French citizens or women, or whomever. It's so important for women to keep up the 'equality fight' and not put every other issue ahead of them - that has been going on long enough!
The resistance is typical of a patrimonial society where those in power fear their territory is being encroached. What the children will learn from this change is that women have an equal place beside men in every avenue of this country, and validation for this right to be equal. We've all had enough of the use of 'man' and 'mankind' to mean all people. These are outdated terms, which were created by males before the time when women had found
their voice or were 'allowed' to express their opinions.
It's high time we took some power into our own hands...what a wonderful country it would be when we won't have to 'ask permission' to be taken seriously as women and are granted equal rights as a standard way of doing
things.
Definitely, the anthem should reflect all the women of this country who contribute so much, as people, as workers, as caretakers of children...we give so much, there should be no question that we are mentioned. The old
military style descriptions are not adequate, nor acceptable. Time for a change. Every young girl in this country will gain a boost of confidence. It's worth every penny it takes.
Calla Fireman
We as Canadians need to understand that in order for democracy to work, we must be open to constructive criticism. If SONS is a problem then lets discuss the alternative and evolve to a higher level of true understanding and tolerance. Women in this proud country and all over the world have had to fight for basic rights, remember that it was less than a hundred years ago that women did not even have the right to vote. I as a Canadian will support any phrase in the anthem that will not be gender specific.
Paul Allard,
Calgary, Alberta.
Yes, it is high time that our national anthem is amended to include the daughters as well. This exclusion never made sense to me. As far as I can remember, any time I have participated in singing O Canada, I always sang "all thy children command". The word 'sons' do not include daughters. We, the daughters of this country, also have true patriots' love and want to and want to feel part of the family. How would the other sections of the population have felt if the original wording was 'daughters' instead of 'sons'. I bet the lyrics would not have been chosen as the national anthem.
Aley Samuel,
Ottawa
It always amazes me how such a relatively simple thing like changing words of an anthem draws such a negative response. The "nothing is sacred" argument gets flung around like the foundations of this nation were about to dissolve before us. This is not a slippery slope. Canada always strives to be a nation of inclusion, one that fosters unity while encouraging its citizens to preserve their cultural identity. If anything, tweaking the lyrics to the national anthem in order to be more inclusive sends a message to the world. That we continue as a nation to re-examine what is means to be a community and that all citizens regardless of gender or race have a role to play.
This isn't revisionist history. The anthem was written in a particular social context that is simply not relevant today, however the aspirations of the young nation are still alive and well today. The anthem should be a reflection of this living society, not an aging relic of another era. There are plenty of things that we can see and experience that will remind us of our heritage. The anthem belongs to the people; all people; let it live and grow with us.
Graeme McDonald
Dorval, Quebec
Growing up in Canada as a girl, singing our anthem in the classroom every morning, I never realized the line said "in all our son's command". It wasn't until I was in my teens that I realized that the line didn't say "in all our SUN'S command".
It seems to me that all we need to do is use a little whiteout, change the O's to U's and we're good. No fighting over what term to use, and no one has to remember a new line. :)
Lesley Spencer
Halifax, Nova Scotia
I have been singing this for most of my 67 years. I wish these people would look into something more important. Like being able to discipline our children like we did years ago. Why don't these woman go home and tend to family issues. I have never felt threatened by the words of O Canada. Why should I? I feel more threatened by our politicians. Why don't we face the real issues instead of some farce?
Ruth
This isn't a ridiculous request at all!
I hear people saying that it's a very old anthem and shouldn't be tampered with, but let's be real; it has only been our official anthem for just over thirty years! C'mon people! This can be easily changed and should be. This has nothing to do with political correctness or extreme feminism. It has to do with representing OVER half the population of this country. Anyone with a mother, sister, wife, girlfriend, aunt, grandmother, or female friend should support such a simple request. Everyone complains that the current liberal government will be remembered only for coasting along... Why not let them be remembered for bringing equality for all in something we all pride ourselves in; Our National Anthem.
Don Kearney,
Toronto, ON
Well I still don't know the words to the current version because they changed it from when I spent years in school...I don't attend hockey games either.
Sigh. People shouldn't have so much leisure that gender specific wording is a cause to be stomped about. I'd rather see the proposed printing money spent on small communities kids programs. If they had real issues they wouldn't have time to get their knickers twisted about Perceived gender bashing. And it is only a PECEPTION of a slight against womanhood.
Getting treated as an equal means acting like an equal Pull your own weight and you'll get somewhere...but for god's sake quit the whining.
Michelle
Mother of 2 boys.
I've been singing "all of us command" for as long as I can remember. Reading the comments on the web forum is an
absolute blast from the past for me. It reminds me of times gone by, like in the early eighties when the women taking engineering (including me) were lobbying to have a women's bathroom on a floor that had three men's bathrooms, or the time in the late seventies when I objected to an application form for a grocery store cheque-cashing card that asked "husband's occupation". "Nobody's ever complained before," I was told. And yes, plenty of
people told me I wasn't offended (or had no right to be offended) by things which did in fact offend the heck out of me. I thought that kind of debate was behind me - apparently not. There are still people who will sit in privilege and tell me not to mind it - I must just have been lucky over the last 15 or 20 years to structure my life to avoid them as much as I have.
Kate Gregory,
near Peterborough
I personally think that these women mustn't have anything better to fight about, so they came up with the most ridiculous subject they could think of. How far are these women going to take the idea of being politically correct?
Our national anthem is a symbol of our creation, history and heritage. To change it on account of one simple line would be a disgrace, not to mention a huge embarrassment to our country. Can you imagine how our country would look if our leaders answered to such foolishness? I think that some people should find better things to do with their time.
Christa Skinner
Saint John
As a concerned daughter of this country, I sincerely hope that we learn to stop laying blame for past mistakes and start focusing on fixing the future. I don't care if you change the words - just as long as the reason for changing is better than "the word sons excludes women". I don't feel excluded. The Famous Five Foundation is NOT paying attention to my needs as a female Canadian citizen. If they were, they would be looking to address future needs of women in this country just as the original five did.
Julie Clark
Ottawa, ON
Change our national anthem! This is ridiculous! I've been a strong supporter for equal rights over the years but this seams to me that these feminists are running out of fights. They appear to be searching now for any cause that will get them in the headlines. Next they'll have us examining the English language to change it so that there is an equal amount of masculine words to feminine words.
Graham Pascal
Ottawa ON
I could not believe the ridiculousness that has been dug up regarding our national anthem - Only In Alberta could such foolishly close-minded notions come to life.
When I first heard this newscast story, I thought for sure that the line in question would be "God keep our land glorious and free."
Has everyone forgotten that Canada is a multi-cultural country, with residents of every faith making up the fabric of our society? Even though I attended Catholic school, I always felt putting that line in was a direct slap in the face to those fellow Canadians who do not share in the standard Christian views that this line portrays.
Ladies, if you are going to start getting politically correct with the national anthem, I suggest you start looking at things from all sides, not just the grumbling of a single interest group.
Why doesn't someone just propose penning another national anthem that reflects the views and philosophies of Canada in the new millennium? The States certainly has more than a single anthem and Canada does have other songs associated with our own national identity?
Instead of complaining, why doesn't this group see about creating unity through song and poetry, instead of spreading seeds of discord?
Joseph Morris
Welland, Ontario
Dear Person:
Never in my 45 years on this planet have I seen such a ridiculous motion as this. I agree that to these 2 die-hard feminists the word may be offensive, but to the rest of the millions in this country, it doesn't really matter.
If these persons (we can't say women for that would be classifying the genders yet again) are so dead serious about changing the wording of the National anthem, let them pay for the change from their own resources and not public funds which can millions of better uses in this country. Surely they must realize the enormous expense this would be and if they just read some of the replies, they could also insert words of their own and no one would be the wiser. How often do they actually sing the anthem anyway?????
Are they truly serious about this windmill in their lives or are they simply tilting at their fifteen minutes????
Bryan Riddle
Bridgewater NS
Words can indeed hurt. Ask any child on a playground and they can tell you how words hurt in name calling, or when their name ISN'T called for play activities.
It was with words that we, as a free and democratic country, wrote legislation that guaranteed equal rights for all Canadians, regardless of race, creed or colour. It was with words that we re-wrote our Criminal Code and removed strapping and capital punishment from our prison systems. It is with words today that we defend others, all over the world and it is with words that we forge new policies that can protect our environment, provide education for our children and still continue to provide universal health care to all Canadians. To say words aren't important is wrong. History (or, perhaps, HER-story) has proven that words can indeed change how people think, how people perceive themselves, how a nation is to be viewed by the rest of the world. Let us all sing, together, with words that represent all of our people, not just one gender. We all stand, side by side, equal, yet different. It is our glory, and our strength. Our words can lead the way to our daughters being included, in all aspects of what this great country has to offer. Canada has always represented what is right, not what is easy. It's one of the reasons I am proud to be a Canadian. Please let my invitation come to stand on guard and to sing with pride . . .
Joan Augustino
Making changes to our national anthem is an important decision. If "O Canada" as a whole was an insult to a
particular group of its citizens then I would be the first to want major changes made. But it is not the case
with our national anthem. I don't believe in amending an anthem to suit the mood of the day or a particular
group ("Famous 5 Foundation")
"O Canada" was written in good faith with the knowledge and beliefs of a particular period in history. You
can't (and you don't) change history.
We are losing sight of our priorities as citizens of this great country. We are now letting political correctness
dictate every facet of our daily lives. This is more dangerous to any group of citizens than the presence of
One word, "sons" with which a small group is unable to identify and live with.
I understand and espouse the need for equality between women and men. But I also I believe that
women who know of the importance of this equality have little need for pettiness and the changing of a word
in our national anthem to strengthen their beliefs in their personal worth as a human being.
As so often said, "if it's not broke, don't fix it!"
Richard DiStilio,
Montreal Area
I have used "in everyone command" for years when singing the national anthem and it works very well. For those who object to the change, I suggest they insert the words "in all white men command" or "in women all command" and see if they would still feel included. When I use the word "sons" I mean male human beings. I do not mean daughters. When a child is born the first thing people ask is whether it was a boy or a girl. We do care about the difference. I would like to be included in my nation's anthem: the patriotism of the daughters of Canada is to be valued as highly as that of its sons.
Nola Crewe
St. Monance
It is really pathetic that with all the Urgent Issues that we have with Health Care, Education, Welfare, and Unemployment that a Senator and the Famous Five group can spend time of such a little word.
Today people are too quick to jump at a word or a sentence- and soon lose sight of what the real problems are. I do believe that the word "Son" does indeed mean all Canadian people regardless of what they are or where they
came from originally. Let's start to use our heads with the knowledge that we have been given to solve more pressing issues in Canada. Unless of course the Senator and the Famous Five would like to pay for all expenses
themselves!
Paula
NB
With all of the problems that people, particularly women, face in our society it is shameful that a large and competent organization should devote so much time and energy to so trivial a cause. Though the word
'sons' is by dictionary definition exclusive of females, the spirit of the anthem is to be inclusive of all Canadians. There are so many worthwhile things that lobby groups and senators can do in order to advance the position of women in our society. Let's devote our time to overcoming the big obstacles in society before we spend hundreds of
hours and thousands of dollars on the final cosmetic touches.
Damian Rawnsley,
BC
To all those people who wish to have the national anthem changed, all I have to say is there nothing in this country we hold or cherish anymore? Already I am sick to the gills with all this political correctness. I do not think we should change the lyrics and should concentrate on getting people to know their history, culture, languages and this national anthem more than to change these lyrics, we have already dropped a chorus from the original national anthem already, so how much more hacking will we do to our national pride in order to make it fit into the eyes of those who want political correctness. In future if the majority of the nation is to be of another ethnic extraction are we going to change the lyrics to reflect them instead of our history and origins. Another thing to remember is that whenever anyone gets a letter from a corporation the term he/him is used as a generic term to address persons regardless of gender, as all these forms will also have a disclaimer. Another example I can give you is that today we address a group of our friends or colleagues as "guys", whatever happened to "guys" and "gals"? Well sorry to bust anyone's bubble, but it was dropped as "guys" became a generic term. So why can't we just leave some things as they are?
To let you know I am a 1st generation Canadian born here who is completely sick of all this political correctness and hogwash. Let us concentrate our time and efforts on teaching all Canadians what we have here and if we are always going to change it that much it will be gone before we know that it will be too late to get it back.
Enough of my rant,
Ambert Fong
Joilette, Quebec
Sirs;
I think that this is the right thing to do. Removing references to "our sons" and replacing it with reference to gender-neutral persons is a good step in the right direction - towards truth and honesty. Canada has become an officially feminized country and is ruled by feminists by proxy through their captive politicians. Any reference to male persons doing anything of importance for this country is a completely dishonest portrayal of the Canadian way of life. Proclaiming any official intention to do anything that might safeguard the freedom of our sons, is completely at odds with government policy. In Canada, men are virtually slaves and that is the way that most people want it to be.So, let's make all of that very clear in the national anthem... perhaps by replacing "our sons..." with "our slaves..."
Thank you
Ken Wiebe
Victoria BC.
Wow! I can't believe some of the comments I've just read about "over sensitive feminists" and "nit-picking women's groups" who are "jumping up and screaming discrimination" and don't we have anything better to do
given all the problems in our country. I'm truly embarrassed by some of these comments from my fellow Canadians. We've changed our flag, repatriated our constitution, created a charter of human rights, and even
(Oh heavens) updated our national anthem before. So some people are looking at updating our anthem again. Let them discuss it. Maybe it will be an improvement.
Virginia Queenan
Calgary
As our anthem has been changed before, I do not believe it to be "unpatriotic" to change it again to be more inclusive. The meaning should stay the same...how about this "...true patriot love we pledge to thy command"? The point is, we who stand proudly to sing our national anthem would like to feel represented in the lyric. We all belong!
Barbara McKinnon,
Victoria, B.C.
We should be enthusiastic about making a change to the wording of our anthem. The present wording is
obviously inappropriate. When you stop changing, you're dead. My advice to the politicians; JUST DO IT
!!!
Tom Weaver
Vancouver
I think it is ludicrous to change the lyrics at all. As mentioned in the article it was changed in the 60's and has changed since then. Why do we need to change the lyrics again? Do we really need to, or is it another way to get your own personal interest's in the media, and then if it doesn't succeed are you going to take it to the Supreme Court and challenge it? Then what if that doesn't work? Let's deal with some real issues and be proud of our National Anthem as it is and what it represents not abuse it or change it.
Thank You
Don Livingstone
It is not whining to protest being left out of the whole show for the last 100-plus years. Whether the offending word is formally changed or not, is not as important as singing them changed. I too vote for (and always sing) "souls" over sons.
Beth James
My granddad once told me. In times of peace sons bury their fathers, and in times of war fathers bury their sons. I hope they leave it the way it is out of respect to the countless young men who were called upon to the front lines to fight for OUR (every Canadian) freedom. Many of them came from your own hometowns that are now just memories to some, heroes to others. Our Anthem is nothing to mess with as singing it with all thy heart can fill oneself with pride and courage. God bless all the women and men who gave their lives with little regard for themselves but for our Country we know as Canada eh!
Shawn Trudgen
Chatham, Ontario
I don't see why so many people are upset about the prospect of changing the words to the National Anthem. The words were revised a few years ago and I still haven't learned the new version. I would feel much more comfortable singing about something other than "True patriot love in all thy sons command". I find the exclusive reference to 'sons' offensive; it puts me back in the 19th century. I won't sing the phrase and I like some of the comments by other readers who supply their own non-sexist words. Of course there can always be the "official" version while everyone else sings the revised version. Let Chretien and all the others sing about "thy sons command". The rest of us will sing our own version. A wayward trickle can eventually change the course of a river.
Can you imagine how quickly the words would have been revised if they were "True patriot love in all thy daughters command". Oh my!
Marion Kelch
Czar, Alberta
Since so many people seem to be offended by 'O Canada' or feel excluded why don't we just play the tune alone and we can all stand in "respectful silence". By doing so we avoid this recurring debate whenever some group wants to use our national symbols to push its own agenda. Atheists and non-theists need not have to worry about the reference to God. Physically disabled need not worry about not being able to "stand" and those of us who are pacifists need not worry about the call to "Stand on Guard". If Canadians really want the change and there is a consensus I have no problems with the idea of changing the lyrics but I really resent the Senator acting on her own to make alterations to a national symbol. Such an amendment should be initiated by members of parliament who are Elected by the citizens of this country and not appointees of the Prime Minister. After substantial consultations over more time than just the summer months we can propose to make the changes and let the people vote in a national plebiscite.
This is democracy. This is Canada.
Larry Speiss
Arborg, Mb.
Personally, I don't mind "In all your sons command", but the fact that it bothers many, should be considered. Personally, I always stop singing when it comes to "God keep our land". There are so many different religions
represented in our multicultural country, and many that do not believe in God, it seems strange that we force Christianity on everyone. The anthem should be something that we can all be proud of, regardless of race,
religion or sex.
Alison Stuart,
Guelph, Ontario
The anthem should be changed if it is inconsistent with values we hold dear, and a complete recognition of gender equality is indeed I hope, a Canadian value. This is no different from the reasoning that says that >South Carolina should no longer fly the Confederate flag over its government buildings. It is also no different from the reasoning that pushed for the amending of the US Constitution to abolish slavery. Such an action was undertaken to reflect the changing attitudes towards social issues and more properly, inequality. As for the costs to be associated with changing the anthem, they are not very substantial, especially if the changes are applied only to prospective printings.
Dennis Chan
I wonder if we would be having this discussion if the anthem said "all thy daughters command?" Of course we will never know because it would never have been written that way, so my question is why not change it? I cringe at the line when I hear it, because I don't raise my daughter on sex-based stereotypes why should they be promoted in our anthem? I've noticed some people getting wrapped up on this one and my only guess is they don't have
mothers, sisters, or daughters that mean too much them. As for the immigrant angle, I've heard the definition of a Canadian is an immigrant with seniority, so as for native land, it is clear either none of us can make that claim, or we all can. I think by definition, being Canadian for six generations, or six minutes, we all share one thing to be proud of and that is we are all Canadian. Having seen the dark side of nationalism in Yugoslavia first hand, I'll take our more subdued, egalitarian and inclusive nationalism any day of the week. Now lets change that song!
Jayson Tarzwell
Toronto
Thank you to the women and men who are investing their time in keeping the National Anthem politically correct. Or perhaps since "All our sons command" has been used for the last 100 years, it is now time to switch to "Our daughters command" for the next 100 years.
Joanne Baldwin
Maple Ridge, BC
Change the national anthem? Sure. Here's how it should go...Oh Canada, my home once native land. True patriot love, now owned by the Americans. With saddened hearts, we see us drained to the land just south of ours. Oh Canada, oh Canada, we all lament for thee. Please keep our health care, ponderous but free. Please keep on educating us while we run to the land of liberty. Oh Canada, we all lament for thee. Oh Canada, we all lament for thee.
Leon Ferguson
Calgary, AB
The (in)famous five seem to think that the national anthem does not reflect them. The truth is, it does not reflect any of us. It isn't sexist, but it has to go. Our national anthem is lame, ineffectual, and archaic. It does not even
accurately reflect our country. Personally, I have no trouble with referring to "Sons". To me it is as all-inclusive as "Mankind" and "Humanity". Just because a few unenlightened dolts think we are trying to exclude women is no reason to change it. The REAL reason it must be changed is the fact that it is a terrible anthem in the first place.
It is extremely hard to sing, due to the broad range of low and high notes. It is completely outdated in its words. The current anthem is little more than uninspiring drivel. I am fiercely proud of the modern role Canada plays in the world as a force for peace, justice, charity and human dignity. We have achieved through our reputation for fair-mindedness what America could only achieve through economic and military intimidation -- We are a leader among nations.
Yes we should change the anthem, but not because some ultra-feminist kooks think it's sexist. We should change it because it is no longer an accurate reflection of the people who sing it. Personally, I can identify more with the Hockey Night in Canada theme than I do with our current sorry excuse for a national song.
M.G. Wilkins
Banff, AB
Change the Anthem?
NO!!!!
It took Canadians, elected and otherwise, 113 years to decide it was important and worth while to have a National Anthem. On February 15, 1965 Canada got its own Flag. At the time I wanted blue bars and a green maple leaf.
15 years later (July 1, 1980) we got our National Anthem. The song now known as O Canada is a minor re-write of the popular 1908 English poem by Justice Robert Stanley Weir and music from 1880 by Quebec composer Calixa Lavallée. The French lyrics written in 1880 have not changed. The song has stood up well. Canada has come a very long way since 1867 and doesn't need another re-write of a historical song to prove it. Perhaps more of us could learn the correct words of the official version before we try to impose a new version, which may not be learned
either.
The reference to God was introduced in the first verse re-write of the popular 1908 version in 1980, and the next time there is a re-write the reference to God may need to be removed because some Canadians don't believe in God.
Perhaps the line "May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise," from verse three (there are four verses) should be changed. Stalwart sounds like a good description of Katharine Graham, albeit an American.
Where might it stop?
Richard Stepaniuk
Hamilton
Call me silly, but I always thought it was "... in all thy son's command" in reference to a specific son, that of God!
Steve
Saskatchewan
Hi,
Feminist groups have done much good for the cause of advancing the rights, freedoms and equality of females in western cultures. I fail to see how changing our anthem advances any of these goals.
I suggest these individuals heed a lesson learned from basic human behaviour: when one group of people become factionalist and extremist in their goals, the result tends to be one of turning off the receptiveness of those of us in society with open minds and broader views in our outlooks. A point is reached where people like this cross the line of "common sense" and end up being looked upon with contempt and disdain. I would say that this is the case with these individuals from what I have read of your reader's replies. Canada has slipped from number 1 to number 3 in the world to live, just recently in the UN ranking of the best nations. Could not the efforts of these people instead be put forth to improve our ranking? After all, one of the reasons why we slipped was due to increasing poverty: articulately child poverty.
Do these individuals really believe that the young girl who grows up from a life of poverty is going to look back on it all and think that the word "son's" in our Anthem was to blame for her upbringing? No, I doubt it. I think she would look back and see that people like this: one's who cry crocodile tears for the cause they are supposed to be representing, while all the while, looking for means to get themselves notoriety through absurd politicking.
Parizeau, Poy, and the Group of Five should all form an allegiance to build their own nation on some desert island: one built on mistrust, intolerance, and dispassion.
These being said, I would like to propose an alternative for their solution to the "son's" issue in our Anthem: Make the second verse of Oh Canada our official anthem. It's far more interesting lyrically, and I think it is a better representation of this great country of ours: Oh Canada, Where pines and Maples grow,Great Praries spread,
And Lordly rivers flow, How dear to us, Thy broad domain, From east to western sea, A land of hope, For all who toil, The true North strong and Free, God keep our land, Glorious and free, Oh Canada, We stand on guard for thee,
Oh Canada, We stand on guard for thee.
The Group of Five should like this one, as it mentions "all who toil" as opposed to "men who toil".
Isn't it interesting that, upon seeing the 2nd verse, and seeing the mention of "ALL who toil", that the "son's" in the first verse is put into the context it was meant: as a generic expression to describe the young of our generations whose role it is to build and make this nation stronger and better.
Funny how Poy makes no mention of this. However, I suspect, given the degree of intelligence she exhibits that she probably isn't even aware our Anthem has more than one verse. (It has 3).
Isn't it enlightening to see what our tax dollars are paying for?
Shawn Bishop
"Oh Canada" is an insipid whine. Can we please have a national anthem to make us proud?
Aaron Kfir,
Newfoundland
One of the features of this country, which has fascinated me greatly, is what I would call its essential post-modernism, which I roughly define as hyper-involvement in the present. We have a history, but few of us know it.
We have traditions, but precious few. Is this so bad? I would suggest that it is not bad but rather strength, the strength born of flexibility. To my mind, this nation's greatness is partly rooted in a refusal to conform to rigid, static patterns.
Just consider: our newest political boundary was created a mere 2 years ago; our national anthem only became so officially in 1980 (and it *was* changed before its adoption); we recreated our own flag in 1965.
This country makes me proud precisely because it affirms, again and again, that principles take precedence over institutions. The one enduring Canadian tradition is flexibility and a reasoned approach to making the world's most just and progressive society even more so. It's no accident that we're the peacekeepers of the globe, since it is built into our national collective unconscious to put first things first. Rights and freedoms come ahead of considerations of tradition and heritage, so frequently the stumbling blocks to peace in international conflict.
This is nothing new. This is who we are. The fact that this country continually and continuously evolves should remind us that it is therefore alive. We refuse to fossilize and die. We respond to stress by creative adaptation, thus ensuring our survival.
May *that* remain our enduring tradition.
Rob Tarzwell
Halifax
I completely agree with the need to change our national anthem. For all of those whiners who don't want to let go of the past, try studying the actual history of Canada, and you'll see that it is nothing to be proud of. Canada was formed by a group of people who took over an already inhabited land, and destroyed other cultures. Women and minority groups were treated unequally, and the government was corrupt and racist. If you want a history to be proud of, then maybe you should look to the neighbours in the south, who attempted to found a country based on democracy and equality.
The need to change the lyrics in the national anthem is very obvious. A national anthem is something that all citizens should be able to relate to. The word "sons" is not the only part that must be changed. The reference to God ("God keep our land...") is not something that all Canadians can relate to. If Canada wishes to claim to be an equal society, then maybe true equality is what it should strive for. The bombardment of Christian beliefs that are imposed on non-Christian Canadians reflects the shameful past of the founding of Canada, where other religions were forced out of the people. Until the national anthem expresses pride that all Canadians can feel, I will refrain from singing it.
B. Toombs
P.E.I.
I find it entirely logical that there is so much opposition to changing the lyrics to "O Canada." Change is difficult to deal with. It's warm and comfortable in the blanket one has wrapped around oneself, ensconced in one's own stink. How many times has the term "politically correct" been used in this context alone? Beware of people who use the term "politically correct" - they don't want to change and they want to justify their biases and bigotry.
It should not be objectionable to change the lyrics to our national anthem. We should embrace the opportunity to do so. Change is what Canada was built on.
Francis Saptel
Bonaventure
I'm all for equality, but leave the anthem alone. The lyrics and music are pieces of history that should remain as they are as a testament to previous generation's patriotism. Altering it merely to appease one small group of people, whose views may not reflect those of Canada as a whole, strikes me as taking equality too far.
Stacy Dooks
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Everyone has the right to his or her own opinion on this matter. If we really
want to be equal to all, then remove all reference to gender and religion.
In the French version of the anthem we pledge allegiance to the cross. If
Canada prides itself on its multi-cultural existence, should we rewrite the
anthem to reflect this as well?
Just curious.
Stefani Balinsky
The Canadian anthem is old, staid, and boring. It lacks an epic quality. An anthem needs to roar, not whimper. An anthem needs fire in its belly. Besides, I agree with the idea that "in all thy sons command" needs to be changed. In fact, I think that the whole anthem should be scrapped and a new, more contemporary one written.
Leon
Calgary
When I first glanced at this feature's discussion regarding changing the national anthem, my immediate response was absolutely not. The Oh Canada is a piece of our collective history and changing history to fit today's ethical and political agendas, undermines its ability to be used as a teaching tool about what we have accomplished in our fight for equality and as a reminder that the way it was is not as golden as many would like to believe.
But as I began to read the comments Canadians, especially women, have posted on this topic I became more and more frustrated by the lack of understanding evident in their words. Comments like; "this makes me ashamed to be a Canadian," "ashamed to be a woman," or, "this is taking equality too fair."
People are clearly not using the language of the anthem to teach about the changing ideals of nationalism. Neither are they unaffected by the inequality entrenched in our language. As they said again and again, they simply have not thought about it.
This is the future of equality in Canada. We pride ourselves on our accomplishments in making discrimination unacceptable in law and society. But real equality is much more than equal access to services and protection from the law. Real equality will be found when the discrimination that is so deeply ingrained in our culture, our institutions and our language are finally purged. Discrimination in language is the most insidious variety because it infiltrates everything we do and say, and it makes each of us into an agent of discrimination, without even thinking about it.
I have changed my mind. The Anthem is not a national artifact. It is a living and modern expression of what we are proud of as Canadians. And as a Canadian, and one who is fiercely proud of her nation, what I want to sing of is not a nationalism built on a patriarchal militarism but a living expression of our commitment to equality.
Crytsal Willie
Edmonton, Alberta
The ongoing agenda to de-MAN our English language is based in part on ignorance of word meanings. Today we must use perSON, or huMAN, in place of other terms. Each time I learn that someone is the "Chair" of some group, I smile in amusement, as a chair usually is something made of wood or metal?
The Merriam Webster dictionary gives the following means: For the word SON the #3 meaning is - "A person closely associated with or deriving from a formative agency. (As a nation, school, or race)" For the word MAN it give the following meaning under 1b - "the human race."
Perhaps doing away with such words as, female or woman would put ALL of us MEN on an equal footing.
Feminists have fought some worthy causes, changes long past due have been made, and some are yet to come. The MALE DESPISERS among them should stick to real issues.
Kenneth Greatorex
I quite agree with changing O Canada.
I have taken the time to write some "all inclusive" lyrics that I am sure cover everyone. The are not very musical however, we don't need to sing it anyway. I am sure that the music, written by a man, is to sexist. Let's just say our national "words" (I can't use anthem, that sounds too religious and that might offend those non-religious types).
Here are my proposed changes. You are free to change any of the offending words before I send it to Ottawa where I am sure some parliamentary committee will want to review them.
O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons, daughters, old men, old women, Asians, Africans, Arabs, Europeans, 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. Higher Power keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Yours sincerely,
D. Ward Lynds
Changchun, China
It's fascinating to see how over the top and hysterical those that oppose it have become. To me this is a clear indication that this country is as sexist as ever, with men and women alike feeling threatened by women who suggest changes to our society. If you cannot handle a simple word change in a single sentence of our national anthem you ought to take a damn close look at your belief system, especially if you're a female. The whole affair has made us look like a nasty little Victorian colony that's afraid of moving forward. Oh wait, well of course it does... Aren't we the ones still hanging on to an obsolete queen for dear life, to the detriment of how the majority of new Canadians feel? Strong and Free? Hardly. More like weak minded and living in the past.
Tracy Graham
Ontario, Canada
I've been singing this line as 'True patriot love in all of us command' for years! I've never liked it as written.
Thanks
Joanna M. Weston,
Prince Albert SK
I'm outraged to hear that people would like the National Anthem changed! It is a very old part of Canadian history! When it was written women didn't have equal power! That is a history lesson people should teach their children. We can't just erase all the things that were wrong with Canadian Society, we can only make it, that much more of a lesson for our Canadian youth! I don't think the anthem should be changed!
Stacey Lake,
York Region
How ridiculous!
I believe politically correctness has gone too far! So, how many tax dollars will be wasted to perform feasibility studies on whether or not to change the lyrics to our national anthem?
Have we absolutely no national pride left? Give me a break!!! Let's focus on the REAL issues, such as, children living in poverty, outrageous costs of higher education, the decline of our public school system, etc.
Brenda Mader,
Hamilton, Ontario
Now that "Oh Canada" has been revised before, sure a new revision wouldn't hurt. "All thy sons command," should be changed to "All thy souls command." Now everyone is equal.
Regards,
Christina Bialy,
Aurora
I'm sure our forefathers must have purposefully omitted specific references to 'daughters' because they somehow felt threatened -- or whatever. Why don't we just get it over and done with & make every reference in any document, prose, verse etc; gender neutral, and we'd never have to hear from these whiners again. Give me a break!
Glen Kindellan,
Calgary
Truly these two ladies with changing the O' Canada lyrics must have more important issues to deal with. As a female that never even gave the line a second thought, I cannot believe that they are taking feminism this far. They should get over the fact that "sons" is interpreted for both sons and daughters.
As for O' Canada, the line they should concentrate on is "...true north, strong and free" and, the FREE word strikes me every Remembrance Day. When I watch the veterans that came back home after fighting in war for what they believe in, salute the flag that many laid down their lives for...that is the true spirit of "O' Canada". Would these women lay down their lives for Canada?
Like many politicians should learn - if it isn't broken, don't fix it!
Patricia McCann,
Dorval, QC
I don't agree with changing the lyrics of our national anthem. If the senate was to seriously regard this concern and heed to it, I believe that would be opening a huge Pandora's chest. I would think that future problems would then arise as the anthem also uses the phrase "God keep our land"; non-Christian Canadians may then take issue with this and so the debate widens and continues. I believe that there are more important issues for such devoted women to focus their energies on than on one word in our national anthem.
Delaine B.,
Dawson Creek, B.C.
I would just like to say that I think that the idea of changing the lyrics to our national anthem has taken the issue of equality a little too far. Yes, I do believe it is important to make sure that both women and men are treated equally but this issue makes me think of the old saying "sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me". Just because the lyrics of the anthem say "son" instead of "people" does not imply that women are not every bit a part of this nation. I was born in Canada and I am proud to sing our anthem the way it is because I know that this is my country too (and I don't need the words to say "people" in order to feel this way). I think that these "people" should not take words so seriously and should remain focused on changing things within topics that really matter.
Sarah Stansbury,
Airdrie, AB
It really bothers me to read about people who search our history to find mistakes or fault in our governments past decisions. If these people would put all their efforts into helping people in need and have the government spend their time and money on matters that help in this aspect our country would be the greatest in the world.
Jim C.,
Toronto
With reference to the story regarding changes to the lyrics of O Canada, I can only say that this type of political correctness gone mad is one of the reasons that many others and I left Canada.
While I love my "home and native land", I can't live there any longer, as the lunatics (I guess that's not PC either) now run the asylum.
One has only to take a close look at the changes in Canada during the last thirty years, decline in standards, including the standard of living for those of us who ACTUALLY WORK, as opposed to those who live off us, to understand this point of view.
Canada is a fragmented, hollow shell of the country in which I was born and raised, run by fruitcakes, and populated by LEMMINGS and SHEEP who refuse to see the sheer cliff in front of them, and won't until it is far too late.
Our PM says we have lots of Immigrants to replace those who leave. GREAT! Last (multi-generation) Canadian out, turn off the lights.
Barry Levy,
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
After reading this article, I have something to say about a certain blatant disrespect that is seeping into this country for our national emblems, of which I believe this case to be one of many instances.
I have spoken with people from previous generations, and they inform me of certain practices regarding maintenance of the flag, and conduct during the singing of the national anthem which were widely accepted a few decades ago, and of which I have never been taught. I am 22 years old.
I find it ridiculous that a nation whose people are lucky if they can remember all of the words to their national anthem is so incredibly concerned about changing the words. I say that if the girls feel that they're being excluded (which I, being a girl, have never felt) because they're not being commanded to have true patriot love, I suggest that perhaps it's because we don't need to be commanded -- it's assumed that we'll have it! Or they may wish to consider that in other languages, when the masculine term is used for sons it can also mean that daughters are included -- and so perhaps this may be considered as nothing more than a little glitch in the English language.
At any rate, I'd say the true patriot love could use a little work before the words of the anthem. I say it would be much more worth the government's (and consequently Canadian citizens') time to focus on making sure our national anthem, with words have been sung throughout our nation for decades and through every event during these years that has forged us into what we are today, receives the respect that it deserves. Namely, that every Canadian child can and does sing his or her anthem before changing the original wording and really getting us all confused.
And so I say that once again, we wallow in matters of little or no importance in the face of the bigger problem. Change the wording -- but your children may not know the all the words, and may never know the difference.
Lindsae Nicholls,
Brooks
I'm stunned that our politicians have no better concerns other than to worry about something so small. It's nice to see they're putting their pay increase to good use.
Consider me a frustrated Canadian.
Philip Argent
I am a woman with great pride in our country and in our anthem. I do not feel inequality in any way when it comes to the lyrics. This country has got to stop giving in to ridiculous demands, like changing the lyrics of our anthem or allowing women in the province of Ontario to go topless just because men do it, all because someone raised their voice a little louder than others. I certainly hope that this "idea" does not get passed because we have to preserve some heritage and dignity in our nationality. If we keep giving in to these crazy notions - everyone will demand something different and won't we have to give it to them too?
Rachela Brisindi
I don't think there should be a major change the Canadian National Anthem. From all of the people I know, men and women I have never heard from them that they fell left out in our National Anthem. I understand Senator Vivienne Poy and the Famous Five Foundation argument, however is it really worth the time and effort? I know I do not see the whole picture, and not fully understand the benefits to Canadians as a whole if girls are included... Will they become empowered with newfound patriotism therefore becoming better Canadians? I don't think so.
If they do change it they should only change the word "sons" to something like "children" or "sibling". I do not want anything else changed or added. That anthem is a part of our history, we should be proud of what we as Canadians have accomplished. What kind of tradition would we have if we kept changing our National Anthem every 21 years...
Vincent Boucher,
Calgary
I can not believe that someone is actually thinking about amending our national anthem. Our national anthem has been around longer than anyone of us has. We can not change how women were looked upon back in the day when the anthem was written, but we should be putting our efforts into activities that will benefit fellow Canadians.
Is arguing about a line in an anthem all that important? Does the Famous Five Foundation have nothing to do, but argue over technicalities in a song? I would have thought that the Famous Five Foundation would be doing more to promote good nationalism, and deal with the true spirit of equality.
Anthems are something that you do not change, because it is our one link to our ancestors. Whether we agree or disagree with what they had to say. I would be more concerned with all the inequality issues happening today, in this day and age. What is in the past should stay in the past, and we should be concentrating on the here and now.
Linsay Seitz,
Calgary
In regards to the story about the group who is trying to change the words to our national anthem...that is absolutely ridiculous!! Some things just aren't meant to be changed. I am female and have never felt like a person of lesser importance when singing O Canada. I strongly object to any changes, and as a proud Canadian I consider it my duty to protect the integrity of such cultural icons as our anthem.
Melissa Graff,
Flin Flon, Manitoba
With regard to the article suggesting that the National Anthem be changed to include females in the lyrics...as a proud female Canadian, who believes that I am just as important, vital and patriotic as any man...I, personally, do not wish to have the National Anthem changed.
I believe it is in fact unpatriotic, unethical and morally incorrect to consider changing a song that has come to symbolize our Country.
We do not specifically mention race, size, sexual preference, or a multitude of other things, which make us individuals, that does not mean that the song is not intended for all Canadian persons.
When focusing on the well being of women...perhaps looking into the high number of homeless, unemployed and abused women would be time better spent, instead of taking valuable resources and energy to flitter around with a song.
Times have changed, yes...but there are certain things in life that symbolize where we all came from...how our Country was built, and shows how and why we are able to call ourselves Strong and Free. The National Anthem is the perfect example of this.
Leave well enough alone.... please.
Dawna McDonald,
Sudbury Ontario
For at least two decades now I've been omitting the "in all our sons" part of O Canada, substituting "in all of us command". It's inclusive, scans well, easy to remember. Many of my friends and acquaintances are also doing this.
Shirley Davy,
Parry Sound
After umpteen years sans whining about political correctness, I'm finding it rather annoying that anyone is focussing energy on a single lyric in our national anthem.
This may just be my opinion but it seems to me that the term 'sons' in the Canadian national anthem is far more ambiguous than a few people seem to be recognizing. I remember questioning it as a child and debating that 'sons', like 'mankind', is a broad term that in the proper context can be appropriate to anyone regardless of sex. I've heard of women being called 'sir' in the military. Is this Liberal MLA up in arms about that too? I see no harm in any of the terminology above.
I'm not against change if it makes sense. Sometimes though it seems some people are more concerned with making their own stars shine than they are with the sky itself. Let's hope 'herstory' doesn't repeat itself.
David Shave,
Edmonton, Alberta
I hope that the senator who wants to change the National Anthem does not get her way.
I am a woman who grew up singing the national anthem the way it is, and I never felt any discrimination when I sang that anthem. I am very patriotic, and even the first line of O Canada can bring tears to my eyes. I feel that it takes a certain type of person to feel discrimination where none is intended.
It angers me when people waste their time fighting discrimination where there is none. Who cares if it says "all thy sons command"? At the time it was written, it was only sons. That doesn't mean that Canada doesn't want me to be here because I am a female!! It is stupid to be worried about the lines of the national anthem when there are people actually being discriminated against. This is like the whole motion of saying "mail person" not "mail man" and all of the stupid things that went with that.
When some women get on this bandwagon, it makes me embarrassed to be a woman here. I doubt the women who the Famous Five are trying to honour would have worried about that line in the anthem!!
Tracy Harris,
Guelph
This is the most ridiculous statement I have yet to hear of in this country! Changing our national anthem to suit some small extreme feminist group is absurd! As a woman I do not feel "left out" of Canada as I sing our Anthem with pride. Some people take things much too seriously. Yes this is a democracy, but how many times will we have to change the lyrics down the road if we are open to revise it just this one time (and or to suit this group?).
Patti Chiles,
Montreal
Do people really think that the average little girl singing the national anthem thinks she is being left out? I assure you that they do not, at least not any little girl I have met. When is the national anthem sung? Every morning when a child is in elementary or secondary school and at sporting events. That is about it and since I have worked in the school system I know that the actual singing of the anthem stops by about grade 5 and then the students just stand there. They probably couldn't even tell you all of the words if asked. I am 22 years old and I know for a fact that I have never felt unrecognized or unappreciated by the national anthem. I really don't think this is an issue that needs to be consuming our time. I am sure there is something more important that these people could be working on. I also noticed that there were no suggestions made as to what would be put in place of "in all thy sons command." Changing the anthem is not worth the time and effort it will require.
Sincerely
Amanda Tremeer
Peterborough
This is ludicrous! Our national anthem should be left the way it is. If we start changing things such as this, to suit every group who has something to say, we will change everything and end up unable to say anything at all. Is this group so bored that they are now studding our National Anthem? Besides, what are we to change it to? "In all thy sons' and daughters' command"... "In all thy children's command"? We have had to change so much to suite other's opinion (server, mailperson, etc) we can't, and shouldn't change our National Anthem. The senate would have the final say and their job is to speak for all Canadians. However, on an issue such as this, I feel all proud Canadians should have their own say and mine is NO!
Thank you,
Robyn Fennell
Proud Canadian
This is in regards to the "Uh-oh Canada" story - please tell me you're joking! I am a young woman, a McMaster University student, and I have been singing that song for as long as I can remember. Never once have I taken offence to the words of the song, never have I felt excluded from being patriotically loving towards my country because of a generalization in the words of the song. Now, I'm not exactly anti-feminist, I'm appreciative of being able to do whatever it is in life I want thanks to the effort of others, but isn't this taking it a little too far?
If nothing else, we should have respect for the simple fact that it's our national anthem! I'm sure it was not meant as exclusion when it was written, not consciously. Either women just weren't thought of (which - like it or not - was the case) or they were using a generalization that was quite common to encompass the whole of MANKIND.
It's really silly to put so much weight in such a word, I think. Accept it for what it is, try to look at it from a different perspective (one where it's not automatically offensive), instead of causing trouble and trying to get something as sacredly Canadian as our National Anthem changed! Why cause trouble over a stupid word?
Thanks,
Jenn Conner
Hamilton, Ontario
I couldn't agree more with Vivienne Poy and the Famous Five. Not only are the lyrics to our national anthem sexist, the fact that the precedent of changing the lyrics has been set means that we can't hide behind a sense of tradition to justify them.
If the lyrics to O Canada were considered untouchable and an artifact of the era of their original composition, one could accept the words as merely representative of the common understanding at the time. Since we saw fit to update the se words in the 1960's, we cannot avoid taking responsibility for their implications.
While we are at it, I would like to see the reference to God removed at the same time. I was proud of the fact that our anthem as it originally stood did not assume religious faith as a qualification for good citizenship. At the time of the revision in the 1960's the words "God keep our land glorious and free" were substituted for one of the repetitions of "we stand on guard".
I reject the inclusion of any reference to God in the anthem of a secular state. The original anthem's repetition of the phrase "we stand on guard" reinforces the notion that all citizens ought to take seriously their individual responsibility to participate in building and preserving the structures that make Canada such a wonderful place to live. God doesn't stand on guard for Canada, WE DO!
Jane Hendricks,
Kingston ON
I was so embarrassed to see the story about the national anthem. There are so many other things going on in our world today that need attention. But to put this much energy and resources into such a ridiculous issue (one line in the anthem?)is an embarrassment to me as a Canadian. No one really cares if girls are not included in the song, I know those hard core libbers find it hard to believe, but most women don't feel the need to raise a hue and cry over every imagined slur. Let it go already. Leave the women of this nation a little bit of dignity.
Barb S,
Kitchener
As a young empowered Canadian woman, I find the attempts by a few feminists to change the national anthem disgusting. I saw it close hand at my university, where our mascot was changed due to feminist complaints, and where, as a contributing member to the student newspaper, we were forced to publish articles with various misspellings of the word women (womyn, womin). Being a woman is not in a name, in an anthem or even in the body we're given at birth. It's in the mindset and in the attitude of the woman alone, and the only way to describe the women attempting to force their attitudes on those around them is extreme.
Arianne St.Jacques,
Ottawa
I have had trouble with the lyrics of the National anthem for some years, and have made my own amendments.
1. Instead of, "all thy son's command", I prefer to sing "all thy sun's command" (meaning every part of Canada under the sun)
2. Instead of, "God keep our land...", I sing "Keep..." over the first two syllables of the line, since God does not have any role in my life, and singing the line is hypocritical.
I refuse to be excluded by my country's anthem.
If anthem changes DO happen, I'd love to see changes to both of these lines to more inclusive language.
R. Lytle,
Toronto
It simply amazes me with all the social and environmental issues that Canadians face, someone has time to focus on a supposed "problem" with our national anthem. This is just another display of an absolute lack of reality and intelligence among a lobbyist group.
Maybe we should take "native" out. Maybe we should take "God" out for the atheists. Maybe we should take "stand on guard for thee" out because it implies we would resort to violence to save the country.
After much deliberation, I figured the only song that we could use to satisfy everyone's hang-ups, is the Barney song. "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family..." Then again, this would be an issue to those without families.
I highly doubt that just because our national anthem says "sons", that this has caused financial or social hardship to any female. I really think these groups need to focus on true issues such as female advancement in the workplace, gender pay equality, and raising the number of females in managerial positions.
As a taxpayer, this ridiculous issue will probably end up costing Canadian taxpayers millions of dollars. Then again, with our pushover government, who knows what they will allow?
R. Humphreys,
London
I think the lyrics should be left alone, they should be sung as they were written. Being a female and singing the words "in all thy sons command" has never decreased the pride I have felt in my country and my country's anthem. I served my country for 20 yr. in the military and have great pride in all things Canadian. Leave the anthem the way it was meant to be sung and keep politics and "movements" out of it. Thank you
Danielle Tarnawski,
Bayfield
After having read these messages, I can safely say that I am ashamed by the number of people who have posted here in FAVOUR of changing our national anthem! It's our national anthem! It doesn't matter if we say "home and native land" or whatever else, because it's our song and thus, we do not deserve to be Canadian if we aren't proud of it. (Aside from the fact that when it was written, almost everyone here couldn't technically call it their "home and native land," but it worked out just fine.)
The very idea that someone could be so unpatriotic disgusts me. I know in the world, we are all one people, but come on! Next thing you know someone will complain that the flag is a maple leaf instead of a combination of all the flags of the world. This would, oh course, justly represent the immigrants...(boy, if I ever heard a stupid comment in my life, it was that one!)
I do not know how one could be Canadian and not want to shout it out at every opportunity. We are truly blessed to live here, eh? (Can I say that word without offending anyone?)
Nathan
Regina
I don't know about everyone else, It's hard enough to keep track of all the changes, how ever subtle, made to the anthem since the first time it was taught to me 31 years ago! Even then as a child the phrase "in all thy sons command", did not bring up notions of inequality of any kind, or toward anyone, we all contribute as Canadians equally. It's to bad, that people who live in an enlightened country such as ours, cannot get past a simple metaphor that in my mind, at least, means everyone.
Dan MacDonald,
Edmonton
This is silly. Not only does the term "sons" NOT refer to male offspring; it doesn't refer to offspring at all. The line is "O Canada, ... true patriot love in all THY sons command", with "thy" referring to Canada. So "thy sons" refers to the sons of Canada. Since we know that this term cannot be taken literally, we can assume that it is a generic term for all citizens of this country.
As a Canadian, I'm tired of breaking my neck trying to please everyone. This is the way the song was written, and it has now become entrenched in our national identity. I don't think we should change it to please a few people who spend their days desperately searching for something to bitch about. These people should be grateful that they live in a country where that is the only thing they can find to complain about.
Dave Roddick,
Hamilton
This is absurd. Political correctness is now going to be allowed to corrupt history? The song as translated in English was not done in an exclusionary manner; it was done in the spirit of the time in which it was written.
Then there's lyrical harmony. Sons is clearly a one-syllable word, should we replace it with children? Citizen? "Kids" fits, but that's not proper English.
The group and Senator who wish to change the lyrics should be made to first come up with a viable, pleasing to the ear alternative. That should take them long enough to realize that our anthem isn't some book that needs to be corrected, but a song which inspires pride in the majority of citizens.
A proud Canadian woman,
Catherine Brown,
Vancouver, BC
I may just be 14 years old and in grade 9 going on to grade 10, but I know that a national anthem is like a sacred thing to a country. Changing it would be like changing Canada. I'm not a sexist and I do believe that everyone is equal in every way, but I think that changing Canada's national anthem is out of the question.
Ron Schuller,
Mississauga, Ontario
As a woman, I have never felt excluded by this line in the Canadian National Anthem. To suggest that Canadian "girls are being excluded when Canadians sing, 'True patriot love in all thy sons command.'" is making sweeping generalizations. I would think that most women would understand that "sons" fits better and includes in its intention "daughters". This is nit picking at its most ridiculous.
I think we can overlook the fact that a song written over 100 years ago may not be culturally proper but still historically and patriotically important. I think that the idea of jumping up and screaming discrimination because a song refers to "sons" when in fact it means "all citizens" is ridiculous. Creative License? How are they proposing to fit "all citizens regardless of gender" into the cadence of the song?
Please, leave well enough alone. Do we not have enough problems in this country to deal with? Must we drag up insignificant nothings to squabble over and waste time with? How about the discrimination of East to West in this country? How about the discrimination of "European" (whites) to Native Canadians in this country? How about real cases of gender discrimination? Pick your fights and fight them well. Leave the insignificant fights to the elementary school debate teams.
Lori Magnus,
Luseland, SK
Because it is sung, more often than written, it is possible that Ms. Poy and the Famous Five Foundation have mis-understood the phrase "...Thy son's command...", a reference to the Christian belief of Jesus as the son of God.
However, this section is still exclusionary to those of us who do not follow the Christian system of belief, of course, one must eventually decide at what point we draw the line, and acknowledge that this country was founded upon a Christian system of beliefs.
After all, if we continue looking at the ways that Canadian legislation excludes our various citizens, we will begin to see that the Constitution itself is exclusionary, referring as it does, in the pre-amble of the Constitution Act 1982, to recognizing the "supremacy of God".
Chris Wagner,
London
Much as I am for equality between the sexes, I don't favour it at the expense of the English language. Policemen have become Police Officers, Firemen Firefighters, and this is great. But I fear that soon we shall have Peter "Personsbridge" reporting the news about floods in "Personitoba". Why is there no backlash against "Mother" Nature? Surely Canadian women are confident enough about them selves to concentrate on more important things than our historical national anthem's reference to sons.
Blair Burns,
Regina
Regarding changing the word "sons" in O Canada"--there is a simple solution. Substitute the word "heirs" for "sons". The word is not sexist, and it includes the concept that we want all our children included--and we can all be counted in some way as children. When I think about it, I make that substitution now.
Marian E. Ward,
Bridgetown, NS
I find it sad that so much energy is spent on trying to change the words of O Canada. So much energy should be spent on something that is constructive and working towards our future rather that trying to live like a leech and deface our Canadian History. Let the ones who stood with pride when this song was song prior to paying the ultimate sacrifice. Let those who want change, write their own songs.
Jim Gallagher,
North Gower
No national anthem that discriminates against immigrants, refugees and other non-native Canadians, should be considered suitable as a "national" anthem. Indeed, in today's politically correct, inclusive environment, Judge Weir, on whose poem the words are founded, would be considered a racist. As the head of a charity which sponsors refugees, I attend a number of Citizenship ceremonies and I continue to be appalled, after over thirty years in Canada, that I can not sing the opening lines of the anthem and what hypocrisy it is we ask these NEW CANADIANS TO MOUTH! . Canada is not my "native" land, NOR CAN IT EVER BE! Nor can it ever be for millions of new Canadians or even Newfoundlanders born prior to 1949. It is time our Minister of Multiculturalism and the Government of Canada weighed into the act and changed the words to this blatantly racist and sexist excuse for a national anthem. And I agree that it is also sexist! Let's get it right NOW to reflect today's reality and let me and all those other non-native Canadians be able to sing all of the national anthem without being hypocritical. PLEASE!
Roy Moffett,
Ottawa
Senator Poy and the feminists are right - we should eliminate reference to "sons" in the national anthem. It smacks of sexism. We should eliminate "our home and native land" - what of those new to this country - are we not stigmatizing those people? And let us not tolerate such inflammatory concepts as "true patriot love", as we all know that such evil as patriotism results from chauvinistic attitudes including insidious, creeping nationalism.
The line "with glowing hearts, we see thee rise..." conjures images of imperialism and evil empires, and of course the concept of standing on guard reeks of militarism. The naming of the Christian deity, God, further alienates a significant portion of the Canadian population and of course should be removed if the inclusion of deities of other sects and religions cannot be added. Without, of course, offending atheists or humanists.
In summation, the national anthem is the antithesis of all things Canadian; we should not risk offending or excluding anyone and simply eliminate the lyrics altogether. We could avoid poisoning future generations of Canadian minds with antiquated concepts, prejudices and values. Perhaps we should also consider the present anthem be expunged from the history books - just in case some kind of "ist" should ever read one.
John Hunt
Pembroke, On
I was in charge of childcare for the first Status of Women campout in the Kootenays in late May 1974, the 29th to 31. My baby was born May 24, so her father was watching her and other fathers did the actual child care, disapproved by some women there. That child is now a newly married feminist with a year-old son living in San Francisco who shares childcare with the father. Sons, men- if it means people. Who cares about verbiage when actions speak louder?
Jean Affleck,
Santa Barbara- was Kaslo,BC
I hope the dispute over gender inclusion in our national anthem goes a step farther. "Oh Canada" is most insipid and uninspiring melody. It's an international embarrassment.
Bill Driedger,
Victoria BC
I will start off by saying that I am NOT an anti feminist. I think that women have accomplished a lot that so many of the girls growing up today take for granted. Some of their more recent methods of achieving equality, however, are not only a little extreme; they are pointless as well. Even if the lyrics of Canada's national anthem are changed so it will "give boys and girls equal recognition" the reaction, if any, will be negative.
I, as a Canadian, am proud of my country AND my national anthem. As a girl, I am saying that neither I, nor any girl or woman I know have ever felt discluded or unequal upon either singing or listening to the line "in all thy sons command". Indeed, it never occurred to me that that it could be taken as a threat of any kind.
May I add that when O Canada was written, it was proper grammar to name any person in general in masculine form, so the lyrics merely refer to all the citizens of the country. To attack the English language for making you feel left out indicates a serious inferiority complex. Fussing over petty details like this is pointless. It will achieve nothing, even for feminism. The national anthem is not a legal document that must be followed at all costs, it's poetry, written to inspire those who sing it and fill them with pride. And it does just that, for women and men alike.
Eleanor Young,
Pointe Claire, Quebec
The fact that these feminist groups have time to complain about a single word in our national anthem shows you that some people have too much time on their hands. If these groups really want to advance the lives of women why not look to countries where female circumcision is practiced, or where females are sold to other families to pay off debts. This kind of knit picking just proves to show that feminist groups have run out of things to protest in this country.
Paul Fisher,
Regina
What a ridiculous waste of time! People in THIS country are without work, ill, homeless. Thousands upon thousands of acres of land either parched or flooded beyond belief, and a group of picky little women fuss about a word in a song... They will end up spending thousands and thousands of tax dollars on this exercise in petty mindless, while the people whose situations cry out for help are denied because there is not enough money to go around...
Barbara Kraeker,
Bruxelles
Dear Canadians,
Why must we argue about this? I can't believe that feminists found this to blast. If the Senator and any other MP or MPP doesn't agree with the National Anthem, they shouldn't be in the House of Commons.
Canada is one of the best countries in the world, and we do not live in a country that has women compared to cattle. However, there are just some things that women's groups try to nit-pick at, and try to "change for the better". Girls are just as much part of this wonderful country as boys are. Who cares about these lyrics? Only the women's groups, it seems. Would it be okay if it said, "in all our daughter's command"? Would women's groups argue then? And if men argued, would we be called "chauvinistic Neanderthals"? I KNOW we would.
To the women's groups: For shame.
John Doe,
Toronto, ON
I think that it is sad that Senator Vivienne Poy and the Famous Five Foundation feel the need to change the national anthem of Canada. The anthem is our cultural guide to patriotism and pride. It has been like this for many years.
I believe in equal rights for all Canadians including women. Women have made much progress in the last century with respect to that issue.
Singing O'Canada does not disable women from seeing themselves in the national anthem. I have never heard that argument before from women around me. I find it hard to believe that a select few feminists feel the need to change the anthem for everyone. Let the majority rule and ask the public what they think.
It is funny that no one has said anything about "God keep our land" even though many people in Canada don't believe in God.
Although there is a need for some forms of feminism, let's hope that the anthem stays as it is and that the days for "over sensitive" feminism come to an end.
Anthony Rizzato,
Oakville, On
If Senator Poy and the Famous Five Foundation can get the House of Commons and the Senate to review the lyrics of O'Canada, to make them gender-equal, perhaps they can also get the government to make the French lyrics non-denominational, i.e. take out the reference to the cross.
Jeff Gauze,
Toronto
With regard to the discriminatory lyrics of "O Canada", I wholeheartedly support eliminating the line referring to "our sons". However, I am equally disturbed by the line, "Our home and native land". This is insulting to all the citizens of Canada who have immigrated here.
The French version is much more interesting and less repetitive. It seems to me that the whole English version of the anthem needs to be rewritten. Why not have a contest?
Susan Bain,
Perth Road Village
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