O Canada, explained in simple English

billzhao

O Canada! Our home and native land,
True patriot love in all thy sons command!
With glowing hearts we see thee rise
5 |* B7 n* c: ]' i6 Z: d5 TThe True North strong and free,
# y$ N% @* E8 H0 VFrom far and wide, O Canada,
  X- L& \0 Q! W4 fWe stand on guard for thee.
1 H/ f" h& E) \God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee;
2 |( h% R9 I+ P/ b! Y1 `1 H* U- ^O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

: P" ?  y$ w! }; L2 J7 V
6 t8 Z5 E  J4 B1 |) f. cCanada, our home and the country where we were born, you make all your people truly love you! With joy we watch you get better and better. You are the True North, strong and free. Our citizens come from all over the earth and we watch over you to keep you safe. God, please keep our land good and free! O Canada, we watch over you to keep you safe.

billzhao

Interestingly, the French version does not mean the same thing.

" a! a: S, X0 S: M1 |3 UÔ Canada! Terre de nos aĩeux,
& r8 O6 {3 z6 q  aTon front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
! Z% |  p2 `: I' ~Ton histoire est une épopée
, D: c% U, n9 x# o9 {+ IDes plus brillants exploits.
+ \7 D, t% R8 UEt ta valeur de foi trempée
9 ~" A& I/ p' K# MProtégera nos foyers et nos droits;
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

Canada, land of our parents and grandparents, you wear a crown of beautiful flowers! You can carry a sword, and you can carry a cross (for Christianity); your whole history is full of the great things you have done. You are brave and faithful, and this will protect our homes and our rights.