O Canada

O Canada is the national anthem of Canada. The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, and the original French lyrics were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier, as a French-Canadian patriotic song for the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society.

It was first performed on June 24, 1880 at a Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day banquet in Quebec City, but did not become Canada's official national anthem until July 1, 1980. The official English version is based on a poem written by Robert Stanley Weir in 1908; it is not a translation of the French. Changes to the English version were recommended in 1968 by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons. The National Anthem Act of 1980 added a religious reference to the English lyrics and adding the phrase "From far and wide, O Canada" to replace a repeated use of the phrase "We stand on guard." This change was controversial with traditionalists, and for several years afterwards it was not uncommon to hear people still singling the old lyrics at public events.

From 1867 to 1980, "O Canada", "God Save the Queen" and "The Maple Leaf Forever" competed as unofficial national anthems, but by the 1960s "O Canada" had emerged as the clear favourite. When it was made the official anthem, most Canadians were surprised to learn that it did not already have such status. "God Save the Queen" is now Canada's royal anthem, while "The Maple Leaf Forever" is virtually forgotten.

All files available for download are backing tracks, it's not the original music. More info...