O, Canada!

[AuntShecky]

Now that the Winter Olympics begin tonight in Vancouver, and pitchers and catchers are starting to report for Spring Training (best o' luck, Blue Jays fans!) here are the official lyrics of the Canadian anthem which those of us south of the border would do well to study, so that we can sing along!

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/symbl/anthem-eng.cfm

UPDATE: I just turned on Dylan Ratigan's show and heard about the tragedy on the practice for the
luge. Deepest Condolences to Georgia and to all of their brave participants.

[papayahed]

Nice! I hear it all the time at sporting events but I only ever remember the first two lines.

I love the opening ceremony and the parade of nations. I was just reading today about the brouhaha over the final torch bearer. Apparently it's not Wayne Gretsky.

[OrphanPip]

Nice! I hear it all the time at sporting events but I only ever remember the first two lines.

I love the opening ceremony and the parade of nations. I was just reading today about the brouhaha over the final torch bearer. Apparently it's not Wayne Gretsky.

The Canadian press is predicting Betty Fox, the mother of the cancer research activist from Vancouver, Terry Fox. I think it's a pretty decent prediction considering that Vancouver is the host city. Gretsky is from Ontario, although he's been really secretive about what he's up to. His brother was on TV this morning and refused to tell where he was.

Here is the original 1880 lyrics

Ô Canada!
Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

You'll likely hear a bilingual version at the Olympics where the middle part of the song will be the French lyrics and the beginning and end in English, or half-half.

The translation of the French lyrics since the English version isn't a translation:

O Canada!
Land of our ancestors,
Thy brow is wreathed with a glorious garland of flowers.
As in thy arm ready to wield the sword,
So also is it ready to carry the cross.
Thy history is an epic
Of the most brilliant exploits.
Thy valour steeped in faith
Will protect our homes and our rights
Will protect our homes and our rights.

[papayahed]

The Canadian press is predicting Betty Fox, the mother of the cancer research activist from Vancouver, Terry Fox. I think it's a pretty decent prediction considering that Vancouver is the host city. Gretsky is from Ontario, although he's been really secretive about what he's up to. His brother was on TV this morning and refused to tell where he was.

Ohhh, that is a good choice.

[Virgil]

Should be fun. I love the Olympics. I'm sure Canada will do a wonderful job on this. They had the Olympic games not too long ago over in Calgary; so they have the experience. Yay Vancouver!

[Babbalanja]

An ex-roommate of mine went to school at McGill and used to sing,

O, Canada
Your flag is but a leaf
O, Canada
You only drink O'Keefe

Regards,

Istvan

[OrphanPip]

We had the Olympics in Montreal as well, it will be the third time for Canada. Only the 2nd winter games though.

It's costing a fortune too, comes with a 1 billion dollar bill for the tax payers.

[AmericanEagle]

We had the Olympics in Montreal as well, it will be the third time for Canada. Only the 2nd winter games though.

Canada has yet to win a gold medal on home soil. Hopefully, third time's the charm.

[OrphanPip]

Canada has yet to win a gold medal on home soil. Hopefully, third time's the charm.

They're predicting 25 medals, up from 23 in Turin, the government pumped a whole crap load of money into Sports Canada for this Olympics. Gah, so much waste, I enjoy the Olympics and enjoy what they stand for, but too much money is thrown around for it.

[Virgil]

We had the Olympics in Montreal as well, it will be the third time for Canada. Only the 2nd winter games though.

It's costing a fortune too, comes with a 1 billion dollar bill for the tax payers.

It's a fact, you don't make money on the Olympics. It's really not worth hosting. But it is an honor.

[AmericanEagle]

The Canadian press is predicting Betty Fox, the mother of the cancer research activist from Vancouver, Terry Fox.

There's a rumour that Terry Fox will be present via a holographic image. That would be so cool if it were true. He really is an inspiration, and a true Canadian hero.

They're predicting 25 medals, up from 23 in Turin, the government pumped a whole crap load of money into Sports Canada for this Olympics.

Was that a part of the "Own the Podium" initiative?

I just hope that Canada will win at least one gold medal. My best bet is the women's hockey team.

[OrphanPip]

Was that a part of the "Own the Podium" initiative?

I just hope that Canada will win at least one gold medal. My best bet is the women's hockey team.

The women's team is guaranteed at least a silver, the US team is the only real competition and the Canadian team has managed to win most of the time.

The curling teams have a good chance at gold as well.

We got 7 gold 4 years ago, so I would be really surprised if we didn't get any this time round.

Standings from 2006

1 Germany (GER) 11 12 6 29
2 United States (USA) 9 9 7 25
3 Austria (AUT) 9 7 7 23
4 Russia (RUS) 8 6 8 22
5 Canada (CAN) 7 10 7 24

Edit: Guess I made a mistake on the medal count from before

[AmericanEagle]

We got 7 gold 4 years ago, so I would be really surprised if we didn't get any this time round.

Jenn Heil is the first to compete for gold. Do you think she can successfully defend her Olympic title? She practically has the weight of a nation on her shoulders.

[Virgil]

Oh my God. I just saw the Luge accident that led to that poor man's death. That was horrific and I wish they hadn't shown that on TV. That course is not safe. They need to design a way for the lugers not to topple over the edge. Poor man.

[Nax]

I feel so ripped off

Moved to Aus too late for Sydney, and now im stuck here and the winter games are in Canada!

And my dad promised if they ever came to Canada he would take us stupid globe and its bigness

Tho I do hope we win lots of gold, then I can be all boastful lol