I heard someone in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office is considering changing the words to Canada’s national anthem.
When I heard that on the news this morning, I swore.
I rarely swear.
Apparently, people are offended, or at least concerned, about the words: True patriot love in all thy ‘sons’ command.
According to local radio station 680News, in the 1990s, Toronto Council asked the federal government to change the lyrics to our anthem. In addition to taking offense to ‘sons’, they also wanted to change ‘Our home and native land,’ to ‘Our home and cherished land.’
Yes, that seems something Toronto council would worry about. This was likely the same group of people who attempted to change the words Christmas tree to Holiday tree.
Are people so sensitive they think Canada only supports its ‘sons’ and not its daughters? Are we still living in a world where we have to be politically correct? Who are the people who have so much time on their hands they have to worry about making everything equal? I appreciate equality. I appreciate the strides women have come in become equal. I believe we have, for the most part, achieved equality. I do not need some gender-neutral word inserted into our national anthem.
On behalf of the normal Canadians of the world, leave our anthem along.
O Canada lyrics
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Visit http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/symbl/anthem-eng.cfm for more information about Canada’s national anthem and to listen to the words.
