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Information on Canada as provided by this extensive government link.

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"O Canada" ~ background music of the same name (no words, just the tune).

I have been sent newer words for "O Canada" with the comment that those shown here from an old songbook may be 30-40 years old. Anyone with a GIF of the pages showing the new words can send them to me if they wish, so this can be included on the page. Here's the words, with thanks to Darcie Lyons:

"O CANADA"

O Canada,
Our home and native land
True patriot love, and all our 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
Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee
Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee.


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Red Skelton performed an explication of the Canadian national anthem, "O Canada," during a visit to that country in 1990:
"O Canada": I see mountains and valleys and rivers and trees; it is truly Mother Nature's warehouse.

"Our home and native land": A place where families live with dignity on rich soil that shares food and beauty.

"True patriot": Patriotism, a pride, a privilege to say, I, me, an individual, a committee of one, and dedicate all my worldly goods, to give without self-pity.

"love in all thy sons command": That powerful youth that gives all their love and devotion, holding the standard with the Maple Leaf high in the air; for it is a symbol of courage and wherever she waves, she shouts "Freedom is everybody's job."

"With glowing hearts we see thee rise": A warmth that incubates incentive; wisdom that feeds beyond superstition and ignorance.

"the true north strong": She is that compass needle that points to inspiring reality, and the courage to struggle on, to find a dream and make it come true.

"and free": That right of power for one to live his own life without fear or stress or any sort of retaliation.

"And stand on guard, O Canada": Not that we want to flaunt our strength, but to be capable of facing the strongest should that enemy appear.

"We stand on guard for thee": we protect all doctrines and share thy spirit of logic and reasoning.

"O Canada, glorious and free!": That means justice, the principle and qualities of dealing fairly with others.

"O Canada , we stand on guard for thee": So we can stand proud and say to our neighbor, "This is as much my country as it is yours."


 


 

Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the 2nd Monday of October. This year Thanksgiving will fall on Monday, October 10, 2005.


Thanksgiving in Canada has generally thought to come from three traditions.


1. European farmers in Europe held celebrations at harvest time to give thanks for their good fortune of a good harvest and abundance of food. They would often fill a curved goat's horn with fruits and grains. This was known as a cornucopia or horn of good plenty. When Europeans came to Canada it is thought to have become an influence on the Canadian Thanksgiving tradition.


2. Around 1578 English navigator Martin Frobisher held a ceremony, in what is now called the province of Newfoundland to give thanks for surviving his journey there. Other settlers later arrived and continued these "thankful" ceremonies. This was also thought to be an influence on the Canadian Thanksgiving tradition.


3. The third influence happened in 1621 in what was to become the United States. Pilgrims celebrated their first harvest in the "New World". Around 1750 this celebration of harvest was brought to Nova Scotia by American settlers from the south. At the same time, French settlers arriving were also holding feasts of "thanksgiving". These celebrations and offerings of "Thanks" influenced the Canadian Thanksgiving.


 In 1879 Canadian Parliament declared November 6th a day of Thanksgiving and a national holiday. Over the years the date of Thanksgiving changed several times until on January 31st, 1957 Parliament proclaimed....."that the 2nd Monday in October"........"be a Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.".


Most families in Canada celebrate Thanksgiving with a special dinner for family and friends.  The dinner usually includes a roasted turkey and pumpkin pie.  Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to look at pioneer life, and it is an ideal time to celebrate the importance of Canadian farmers for all Canadians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated 9-9-99 and Oct. 4, 2005

 

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