A Canadian flag being the cover of a children’s covered wagon, a barking dog in the wagon, towed by a tricycle missing it’s front wheel with a grinning young child on the seat, hitched to very large tricycle with an older child ferociously peddling, with fishing rods extending far out past the front wheel, with stuffed toy horses hitched to them, storming down the main drag, blowing lights and bowing to no one, two children and a dog on parade.
Yep, Canadian flags have been going up around the neighbourhood. People have gotten an early start on the fireworks. (Though they could also be getting ready for the 4th.)
*It’s Canada Day up Canada Way on the first day of July.
And we’re shouting hooray up Canada Way when the maple leaf flies high.
Where the silver jets from East to West are streaming through our skies.
We’ll be shouting hooray up Canada Way when the great parade goes by.
Oh Canada, standing tall together
We’ll raise our hands and hail our flag
The maple leaf forever…*
According to this, the name changed in 1982 (I thought it was more recently than that).
I’m going to see Edmonton’s “Silly Summer Parade” to celebrate Canada Day, even though seeing a 4th of July parade several years ago in Cody Wyoming (as part of a bus tour I went on) has completely spoiled me about parades and makes me think Edmonton’s parade is “Silly” in more ways than one. Oh well. It’s better than nothing!
Woot! I have Butter Tarts, Kokanee, Saskatoon berry crisp, and a bunch of ex-pats are on their way in a few hours. Happy Canada Day to everyone at home and abroad!
We went to the Consulate in DC on Friday, and boy the younger and I were asked to go up on stage to sing O Canada with the ambassador and some other kids. Woohoo! He complimented me on my voice.
You and your son actually knew all the words? (That’s a poke at the way they keep changing our national anthem, not on Ginger’s lyrical abilities.) I make a point of singing it at every sporting event so I can get used to the new words.
(Saskatoon berry crisp. I have never had that, but after I visit the farmer’s market and get some saskatoons this summer, I will. LOOOOooove saskatoons.)
Here’s a challenge! Without cheating, type out as much of the lyrics to Oh Canada as you can, and tell us if your are a Canadian citizen.
Oh Canada, our home and native land,
true patriot love, in all thy sons command
with glowing hearts we see thee rise
our true north strong and free
(That’s all I can remember.)
(I have a friend in Minneappolis who memorized the lyrics and sang Oh Canada for me on Canada Day last year, but unfortunately, she unknowingly used the “Happy Birthday” tune.)
O Canada
Our home and native land
True patriot love
In all thy sons command
With glowing hearts
We see the 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
I’m a Canadian and until I left home I attended 20+ hockey games per year, so perhaps I’m a bit of an outlier(they do sing half of the anthem in French here, though).
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 bless our land, glorious and free
O canada, we stand on guard for thee
O canada, we stand on guard for thee.
They did change the words then? I remember hearing about it, but I just sing it like I always did. Just like when I was a Guide leader I couldn’t quite break the habit of saying the motto I learned as a girl instead of the new one.
I need to go get some Saskatoons. Make some pie and some crisp. mmmm. I love me some saskatoons.
