O CANADA, MON PAYS, MES AMOURS

FROM THE FRENCH OF SIR GEORGE ETIENNE CARTIER

“NO Land so fair as one’s own Land,”
Is what the good old adage says;
By that and custom, too, I stand
To sing to-day my country’s praise.
The stranger sees with envious eyes

St. Lawrence’ tide majestic roll,
Gazing, the proud Canadian cries,
O Canada, my Land, my Soul!

What purling brooks by meadows wide
In myriads thrid our fertile plains;

How rise aloft the hills of pride
We see afar in ranging chains;
Chutes, rapids, valleys, forest brakes—
Where can more noble scenes unroll,
Who fail to love thy limpid lakes?

O Canada, my Land, my Soul!

Each country boasts its ladies fair
(I quite believe with reason, too),
But our Canadian girls, I swear,
In charm can be surpassed by few.

So cheerful they, and so sincere,
Yet, of the French coquettish rôle
They’ve just enough to make them dear,—
O Canada, my Land, my Soul!

Canadians, sons of merry sires,

They love the laugh, are gay and free,
Warm glow their hospitable fires,
Quick, brave and mild and mannerly; [Page 140]
To Country ever staunchly leal,
Due freedom is our patriot goal,

Our watchword still the peace, the weal
Of Canada, our Land, our Soul!* [Page 141]