It was sung as the national anthem for many years before the government made it official on 1 July (Canada Day) in 1980.
"O Canada" has been translated into many languages. Some of these languages are spoken by people living in Canada, but they trace their roots in other parts of the globe. These languages include Chinese, Japanese, German, Spanish, Italian, Punjabi, Russian, and Ukrainian. The song has also been translated into indigenous languages (languages spoken by First Nations), such as Inuktitut, Ojibwe, Cree, and Mi'kmaq.
O Canada! Our home and native land,
True patriot love in all of us 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.
Canada, our home and the country where we were born,
Everything we do is for you!
With joy we watch you get better and better.
You are the True North, strong and free.
Our citizens come from all over the world
And we watch over you to keep you safe.
God, please keep our land good and free!
O Canada, we watch over you to keep you safe;
O Canada, we watch over you to keep you safe!
Ô Canada!
Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
𝄆 Protégera nos foyers et nos droits. 𝄇
[o kanada]
[tɛ.ʁə də nɔ.z‿a.jø]
[tɔ̃ fʁɔ̃.t‿ɛ sɛ̃ də flø.ʁɔ̃ glɔ.ʁi.ø]
[kaʁ tɔ̃ bʁa sɛ pɔʁ.te l‿e.pe.ə]
[il sɛ pɔʁ.te la kʁwa]
[tɔ.n‿is.twaʁ ɛ.t‿yn e.pɔ.pe.ə]
[de ply bʁi.jɑ̃.z‿ɛks.plwa]
[e ta va.løʁ de fwa tʁɑ̃.pe]
𝄆 [pʁɔ.te.ʒə.ʁa nɔ fwa.je.z‿e nɔ dʁwa] 𝄇
O Canada!
Land of our ancestors
Glorious deeds circle your brow
For your arm knows how to wield the sword
Your arm knows how to carry the cross;
Your history is an epic
Of brilliant deeds
And your valour steeped in faith
𝄆 Will protect our homes and our rights. 𝄇
Trilingual version (English, French and Inuktitut)
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
God keep our land glorious and free!
𝄆 O Canada, we stand on guard for thee! 𝄇
Ô Canada!
Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
God keep our land glorious and free!
𝄆 O Canada, we stand on guard for thee! 𝄇
ᐆ ᑲᓇᑕ! ᓇᖕᒥᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ!
ᐱᖁᔭᑏ ᓇᓚᑦᑎᐊᖅᐸᕗᑦ.
ᐊᖏᒡᓕᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᑎ,
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix !
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits
God keep our land glorious and free!
𝄆 O Canada, we stand on guard for thee! 𝄇
