(no subject)
Huh.
You know, this might have been the one time I agree with the Prime Minister of Canada.
He suggested changing the lyrics of the Canadian anthem.
Now, for those of you who don't know, these are the lyrics:
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
The line in discussion is the third - specifically, the use of the word 'sons'.
And you know, I'd never really thought about it before, but now that I have, it's really insulting to realise that half of the population is left out of the song. Reflective of the times, I suppose, but still. Insulting.
But the Conservative base has reacted, and so the idea has been jettisoned. And as the article points out, the Conservative base is probably - well, let's be polite, shall we? Middle-aged and male.
Sigh.
And while I've never understood the war references in the US anthem, at least it's fairly neutral, you know?
I kind of like the French lyrics:
O Canada!
Land of our ancestors,
Thy brow is wreathed with a glorious
garland of flowers.
As in thy arm ready to wield the sword,
So also is it ready to carry the cross.
Thy history is an epic
Of the most brilliant exploits.
Thy valour steeped in faith
Will protect our homes and our rights
Will protect our homes and our rights.
:)
You know, this might have been the one time I agree with the Prime Minister of Canada.
He suggested changing the lyrics of the Canadian anthem.
Now, for those of you who don't know, these are the lyrics:
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
The line in discussion is the third - specifically, the use of the word 'sons'.
And you know, I'd never really thought about it before, but now that I have, it's really insulting to realise that half of the population is left out of the song. Reflective of the times, I suppose, but still. Insulting.
But the Conservative base has reacted, and so the idea has been jettisoned. And as the article points out, the Conservative base is probably - well, let's be polite, shall we? Middle-aged and male.
Sigh.
And while I've never understood the war references in the US anthem, at least it's fairly neutral, you know?
I kind of like the French lyrics:
O Canada!
Land of our ancestors,
Thy brow is wreathed with a glorious
garland of flowers.
As in thy arm ready to wield the sword,
So also is it ready to carry the cross.
Thy history is an epic
Of the most brilliant exploits.
Thy valour steeped in faith
Will protect our homes and our rights
Will protect our homes and our rights.
:)