Canada’s National Anthem has been a staple since its creation in 1880. It’s an anthem that children have learned and familiarized themselves with during their school days every morning. It’s an anthem that brings a nation together when Canada’s sports teams get ready to play for their country. Ultimately, this anthem expresses how Canada is being built on the grounds of passion, visions of love, hope and harmony as the people contribute to their home and native land.
This anthem’s original French lyrics were translated into English in 1908 and it has gone through two English revisions before its present form was created in 1980. During Canada’s 150th Anniversary celebration a Chinese version of the Canadian Anthem was revealed by William Ho, an internationally renowned artist, a Goodwill Ambassador of Love and Hope and the Founder of the One Heart Beat movement.
“When I saw some elderly Chinese-Canadians who could not speak English or French, being unable to express their love through singing ‘O Canada’, I felt sad.” William Ho released during a press release about his rendition, “We need to provide the opportunity for them to have their fair share in expressing their love for our country. Today, they can have their fair share. All Canadians should be happy and proud.”
William Ho also stated his belief that Canada can set a beautiful example to the world about respecting and loving one another. He shared his rendition of the Canadian anthem at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Parliament Hill in Ottawa and the Beijing University in Beijing.
“I am honoured and humbled to have created the Chinese lyrics for our National Anthem with the beautiful Chinese language and global passion,” William Ho expressed about his rendition for the Chinese community, “We can further express our true patriot love with our most familiar language, in addition to English and French.”
As the original anthem expressed how every Canadian is proud to be Canadian as they long to live here in peace, hope and harmony, the Chinese version has expressed the same notions which have enabled the Chinese-Canadians to express the same sentiments as their fellow Canadians.
Publication Note:
This was published for AsianWave Magazine.
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