O Canada!
This is a humble effort to do a great thing: to supply Canadians with a National Song; not to ursurp others more or less in vogue, but to take a place with them in the minstrelsy of our country.
It is advisedly a Sung, not a Hymn, and my therefore be freely and fittingly used upon secular occasions. At the same time it is hoped that the sentiments expressed would not make it inappropriate even at a religious festival.
The words have been written because Mr. Lavallée's splendid melody (one worthy to rank with the finest national airs of any of the older lands) has hitherto lacked an English setting in the song style.
The original harmonies have been simply but most effectively enriched by my friend Mr. Grant-Schaefer presently of Chicago but still an ardent Canadian.
Schools and Colleges, Athletic and Military Corps, Choirs and, in short, those in "all places where they sing" are cordially invited to make free and wide use of "O Canada."
THE RECORDER'S CHAMBERS
MONTREAL, NOVEMBER 10. 1908.
R. Stanley Weir.
O Canada. 4
