Catholic Info
Traditional Catholic Faith => Catholic Living in the Modern World => Topic started by: Twice dyed on November 30, 2025, 02:02:37 PM
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https://www.paroles.net/hymnes-nationaux/paroles-canada-o-canada
Ô Canada, literally translated from the Original French. (Unofficial!)
The hymn is truly Catholic, promoting Christ the King, rule of law etc.
Written by Sir Adolphe - Basile Routhier (+1920). He was born in 1839 - had studied at the Seminary of Ste. Thérèse, in Québec.
He became a lawyer and then a judge, finally the Chief Justice for Québec (1904). His mansion was on the shore of the St. Lawrence seaway. He enjoyed the view, and there is a mention of this in his Hymn. The hymn was commissioned for the Feast of St. Jean Baptiste Day festivities, 1880, and naturally St John the Baptist is therefore referenced in our (French) National Hymn.
He was an Ultramontanist, faithful to Catholic Doctrine.
It became the French Canadian Hymn July 1, 1980, when an English version, not based on these words (obviously!!) but only to the melody, was also promulgated.
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O Canada! Land of our ancestors,
Your brow is crowned with glorious laurels!
For your arm knows how to wield the sword,
It knows how to bear the cross!
Your history is an epic
Of the most brilliant exploits.
And your valor, tempered by faith,
Will protect our homes and our rights,
Will protect our homes and our rights.
Under God's eye, near the mighty river,
The Canadian grows up in hope.
He is born of a proud race,
Blessed was his cradle.
Heaven has marked his path
In this new world.
Always guided by its light,
He will keep the honor of his flag,
He will keep the honor of his flag.
From his patron, forerunner of the true God,
He wears on his brow the halo of fire.
Enemy of tyranny
But full of loyalty,
He wishes to preserve in harmony,
His proud liberty;
And by the effort of His genius,
On our soil establish truth,
On our soil establish truth.
Sacred love of throne and altar,
Fill our hearts with your immortal breath!
Among foreign races,
Our guide is the law:
Let us be a people of brothers,
Under the yoke of faith.
And let us repeat, like our fathers,
The victorious cry: "For Christ and the King!"
The victorious cry: "For Christ and the King!"