Pearson-Shoyama Institute
Place du Canada

O' Canada

Bravo and kudos to Andrew Cardoza for 'C'mon Canada: 'Sing Out' in the Toronto Star 97/04/14. Having multiple versions of O Canada available to the Canadian public is an idea of great merit. At least, I have always thought so because as a Senior Consultant with Information Canada back in the mid-seventies I made such a proposal but the project remained unborn because of the sudden demise of InfoCan itself.

Canadians have never been (at least in my 60-year old memory very demonstrative about their nation except when at war or when travelling abroad (especially when they want to differentiate themselves from American or German travellers). I can remember well when our national anthem was considered to be 'God save the King (or Queen)'. Then, when we actually had the temerity to flaunt our very own flag, there seemed to be a surge of interest and pride in promulgating our own sense of identity. However, even when we decided to use 'O Canada' as the anthem of choice, it was not employed with any regularity on public occasions.

Of course, when anthems were played at sporting events, most fans were too shy to sing out because to do so seemed too American. The fact that the anthem itself was always presented in a solemn and dirge-like fashion didn't help matters either. And bringing back the recorded playing of the anthem at the end of the final feature in movie theatres isn't going to help much either.

However, a multi-version of the anthem would do wonders to perk up interest in this tepid tune. Back then the idea was to produce an LP (it would, of course be a CD today) that had many versions: English & French lyrics for soloists and choirs; military band versions; children's chorus versions; aboriginal music & language versions; pop music versions (soul/rock/reggae/etc.); regional choruses (e.g. Men of the Deep, etc). This LP/CD could be distributed to every radio station, embassy and consulate and promoted for use by clubs and organizations that held public meetings of any kind. If the versions were dramatic, fun and uplifting, I'll bet that many citizens would want a copy for their own use at home.

I'd be very interested to hear if anyone else feels the same way about our anthem. Would it be so hard to get a recording company to collaborate on such a project if it knew that a minimum order would be taken by the federal government (Sheila Copps take note!) and by every radio and TV station (Michael McCabe take note)?

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In the Beach, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Brian
ogrady@pathcom.com