Everything you didn't know but were afraid to ask about 'O Canada'
CBC Radio | Posted: June 23, 2017 9:47 PM | Last Updated: June 28, 2019
Originally published on June 23, 2017.
Throughout 2017, musicologist and broadcaster Robert Harris and The Sunday Edition's host, Michael Enright, listened to and exchanged pieces of music that changed their world, and you shared your choices with us as well.
Here, we look back at a piece that changed Canada's world.
Harris presents a fascinating illustrated biography of the national anthem.
Here are a few fun facts about the song:
- The opening bars of O Canada were plagiarized.
- The song has its origins in French Canada, and was at first resolutely military in both tone and intent.
- The words have changed many times over the years, and the debate continues.
Click 'listen' above to hear the piece, which originally aired in 2017. Audio is available only within Canada for copyright reasons.