O Canada, explained in simple English

billzhao

O Canada! Our home and native land,
3 r' X( c) j& I9 h5 m2 NTrue patriot love in all thy sons command!
" T2 j: [2 `3 q  v! p2 K9 h$ aWith glowing hearts we see thee rise
% D8 u: ?" u" X+ n5 I1 GThe True North strong and free,
/ _4 Y" K( |! c; H' P8 B* ?& k5 kFrom far and wide, O Canada,
# O( j3 T/ C! DWe stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
# l; L- w/ ], a. v. ~4 uO Canada, we stand on guard for thee;
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

" u+ h2 D2 v, ?- I$ U/ \
Canada, 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.

Ô Canada! Terre de nos aĩeux,
$ S  _% B3 \# f  k+ O) I- wTon front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
* f5 @0 c" o5 ~# c- gCar ton bras sait porter l'épée,
; d; Z5 q8 R! {( NIl sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
7 U; w! f% c5 [  \Des plus brillants exploits.
8 d/ r" W+ n/ |7 X  `4 k! o2 V8 ^4 |Et ta valeur de foi trempée
5 A3 ]% z, J  ?, p6 QProtégera nos foyers et nos droits;
5 ]6 @' u  o& Z# K; G( [( G9 I# cProtégera nos foyers et nos droits.

) Y" \' N  c% _4 o7 l8 kCanada, 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.