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The history behind ‘O Canada’

June 24, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

It is the national anthem sung and performed at official ceremonies, schools, and sporting events around the country.

While O Canada has been part of our culture for over 140 years, the anthem was not the official Canadian anthem until 1980, a century after it was first sung in 1880.

The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, and the French lyrics were written by Adolphe-Basile Routhier.

While many English adaptations of the song were written, the English lyrics adopted in 1980 are based on a version written by Robert Stanley Weir in 1908.

Calixa Lavallée was a musician and composer from Quebec. He had a successful career and was commissioned to compose the music for O Canada while at home on a break from his touring career.

Robert Stanley Weir was a judge known for his skills as a poet and writer.

Weir’s lyrics were modified in 2018 when legislation was passed to change the English lyrics from ‘True patriot love in all thy sons command,’ to ‘True patriots love in all of us command.’

There are no specific rules as to when it is appropriate to sing the national anthem at an event. It is up to the organizers to determine if instrumental or sung versions of the anthem will be used.

If two anthems are to be played at an event, precedence should be given to O Canada when on Canadian soil.

As a matter of respect and tradition, it is customary to stand for the playing of O Canada.

There is no copyright on the melody or words of the national anthem. They have been declared to be in the public domain.

Musicians are free to arrange the score to suit their needs.

When played at an event, the anthem defines the nation and is easily recognizable across North America and much of the world.

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