Sunday, July 5, 2015

Proud to be "Canadian"

I'm proud to be a Loyal Canadian ~
'Tis my home, this country so scenically vast
From stormy Atlantic to the Pacific blue oceans
And Arctic waters in Ontario's North.

We've mountain ranges with snow-capped peaks ~
The Rockies in the West and Laurentians in the East;
And from sunrise to sunset, our golden prairies spread.
Forests tower with spruce, pine and cedars.
And sugar maple sap freely Spring flows;'
Mighty oaks, elms and white birch ~
Create a tapestry with glorious autumn hues.

Twenty per cent of the world's fresh water
Is located in Canada's rivers and lakes.
Our Great Lakes system feeds into the St. Lawrence:
A transportation road for freighters from abroad.
There's also the rivers of Yukon, Mackenzie, Peace,
The Skeena, Athabasca and Quebec's Saguenay.

Waterfalls abound 'cross Canada's domain:
Takkakaw, Della, Alfred Creek and Niagara.
Significant of all, my Burlington's neighbour
Boasts over eighty...tumbling the Escarpment:
City of Waterfalls...Hamilton's been dubbed.

Across our Provinces and northern Territories
Are forty-four protected National Parks.
We have rolling hills, grasslands so velvety green
That numerous birds and animals call home.

Our unique ten Provinces and three Territories
Comprise ethnic people who reside among us;
Whether farmer or sailor, artist or attorney,
We share our cultures and respect of language.

I'm proud to be a Citizen of Canada ~
I've tilled its soil and mowed sprawling lawns;
I drove the horses and then the tractor
To harvest hay, the grain and the corn.
My sister and I daily gathered the eggs ;
We seeded the garden and help spray the orchards;
We picked the berries of red, blue and purple.
From the upper loft, hay bales we collected
To feed the cattle, the horses and sheep.
Then petted the lambs and clucked to the chickens.
We learned to bake and competed with crafts at local fall fairs.
We studied music and sang in the church.
Attended village schools and played local sports.

Established as a teacher with the Board of Education,
I spent summers travelling, to tour my homeland.
Four times I've crossed my fair country
From downtown Toronto to Vancouver Island;
Twice to the Maritimes 'long the Atlantic coast.
Thirteen Euro countries I visited one summer
And several times been to United States.
In January/February '69, with my 4-year old son,
Visited Ecuador, Chile, Argentina and Brazil
to meet my 'inlaws' and family friends.
In 2001, drove my son's Honda van
from California to home for its emission test.

Proud I am, a Patriotic Canadian!
I love its bands and precision parades
With colour-guards uniformed, in unison marching.
I pay allegiance to our Maple Leaf flag ~
Tears cloud my eyes when our anthem is sung.
Such is my Esteem!

Canada is coast-lined with three ocean waters.
'Tis like a Kaleidoscope with rich woven fabrics
Of diverse peoples...with diverse cultures...
With diverse landscapes...and four seasons of the year
Which Mother Nature brings for our celebrations.

I love Canada for its Heritage and Pageantry,
For opportunities that arise to enhance our lives:
Doors that open to those who yearn
To leave a Legacy for those who follow!

O Canada!

O Canada was proclaimed Canada's National Anthem on July 1, 1980 (100 years after it was sung on June 24, 1880). The music was composed by Calixa Lavallee, a well-known composer. French lyrics (composed as a prayer) were written by Sir Adolfe-Basile Routhier. I leave you with the entirety of the four written verses.
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!

O Canada! Where pines and maples grow;
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow!
How dear to us thy broad domain
From East to Western sea!
The land of hope for all who toil,
The True North strong and free!
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies,
May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise
To keep thee steadfast thro' the years,
From East to Western sea.
Our own beloved native land ~
Our True North strong and free!
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

Ruler Supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our Dominion in thy loving care.
Help us to find, O God, in thee
A lasting rich reward.
As waiting for the better day,
We ever stand on guard.
God keep our land, glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

Merle Baird-Kerr...written July 5, 2015
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