Chantal Kreviazuk Alters Anthem to Emphasize Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Tensions
National anthems are often seen as sacred, but history shows that their lyrics have evolved over time. Singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk added her own mark to O Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off Final in Boston on Thursday night, altering a key lyric in a performance that sparked both conversation and controversy.
The Winnipeg-born artist changed the line “True patriot love in all of us command” to “True patriot love that only us command”, a direct response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent calls to annex Canada.
“I was singing for our pride, for our honour, our sovereignty, our history—the good, the bad—and the future,” Kreviazuk told The Canadian Press after the game.
While her performance drew boos from the predominantly American crowd, it resonated with many Canadians who viewed it as an act of defiance amid growing tensions between the two countries.
Professor Robin Elliott, a musicologist at the University of Toronto, said while altering anthems typically sparks backlash, the context of the moment may lead to more understanding from Canadians.
“There’s usually strong pushback when artists change the anthem because it’s a symbol of patriotism,” Elliott said. “But given Canada’s current tensions with the U.S. and Chantal’s clear expression of national pride, I think many Canadians will give this a pass.”
Elliott pointed out that O Canada’s lyrics have never been set in stone, with multiple revisions and interpretations over the years.
- Originally composed in French by Calixa Lavallée with lyrics by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier for Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day in 1880, O Canada grew in popularity among English-speaking Canadians following a 1901 royal tour by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.
- The most recognized English version was written by Robert Stanley Weir in 1908, eventually forming the basis for today’s official lyrics.
- In 1967, Canada’s Centennial Year, a Special Joint Committee of Parliament recommended O Canada as the national anthem, though it was not officially adopted until the passage of the National Anthem Act in 1980.
- The anthem underwent a significant change in 2018, when the phrase “in all thy sons command” was modified to “in all of us command” to promote gender neutrality.
Kreviazuk’s modification is not the first time an artist has altered the anthem to reflect contemporary issues.
- In 2023, singer Jully Black modified O Canada at the NBA All-Star Game, changing the line “Our home and native land” to “Our home on native land” to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples. Her decision was celebrated by the Assembly of First Nations, though it also received backlash.
- Many artists have performed bilingual or restructured versions of O Canada, with varying reception from the public.
Kreviazuk’s rendition also diverged from the standard bilingual format of O Canada, starting with two French lines before switching to English, rather than following the usual transition to French in the second verse.
Social media reactions were mixed, though much of the criticism focused on her vocal performance rather than the lyric change itself.
“My voice probably sounded not as stable because it made me so emotional,” Kreviazuk admitted.
As tensions between Canada and the U.S. continue to escalate, her performance of O Canada has added yet another chapter to the anthem’s evolving history—one that, as experts note, has never been truly static.