O Canada!

“O Canada” began as a French hymn written by Adolphe-Basile Routhier in 1880, with music composed by Calixa Lavallée for the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebration in Quebec. The French text focused on themes of faith, loyalty, and love for homeland. In 1908, Robert Stanley Weir penned an English adaptation that became the most widely sung version, distinct from the French original but carrying the same patriotic devotion.

The song quickly gained national recognition and by the early 20th century was sung across the country during public gatherings, schools, and special occasions. In 1980, on the centennial of its first performance, “O Canada” was officially declared the national anthem of Canada.

Though a national song rather than a strictly religious hymn, “O Canada” resonates with biblical themes of gratitude, blessing, and faith. It calls Canadians to stand firm in love for their land and invokes the idea of God’s guidance over the nation. Sung in both French and English, the anthem has become a unifying expression of Canadian identity, faith, and heritage.