With Canada co-hosting the 2026 World Cup, “O Canada” is getting its moment on the world stage — and it’s a beauty: stately, warm, and (very on-brand for Canada) officially bilingual. Here’s what it means and the surprisingly recent twists in its history.
| Anthem | O Canada |
| Music | Calixa Lavallée (1880) |
| Original French Lyrics | Adolphe-Basile Routhier (1880) |
| Common English Lyrics | Robert Stanley Weir (1908) |
| Officially Adopted | July 1, 1980 |
| Languages | English & French (bilingual) |
| Opening Line | “O Canada! Our home and native land!” |
What “O Canada” Means
“O Canada” is a love letter to the country — its land, its loyalty, and its people standing “on guard” for it. It started life as a French-Canadian patriotic song composed by Calixa Lavallée with French lyrics by Adolphe-Basile Routhier, first performed in Québec City in 1880. The English version most people know came later, written by Robert Stanley Weir in 1908. The French and English lyrics aren’t direct translations — they’re different poems set to the same gorgeous melody.
Two Things Most People Don’t Know
First: despite being written in 1880, “O Canada” only became the official national anthem on July 1, 1980 — exactly 100 years later. Second: in 2018, Canada changed the English line “in all thy sons command” to “in all of us command” to make it gender-neutral.
More World Cup 2026 host-nation anthems: Mexico – Himno Nacional Mexicano · USA – The Star-Spangled Banner. See also our history of every World Cup anthem from 1962 to 2026 and the official tournament anthem “DNA.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Canada’s national anthem called?
“O Canada,” composed by Calixa Lavallée in 1880, with French lyrics by Adolphe-Basile Routhier and common English lyrics by Robert Stanley Weir.
Is “O Canada” sung in English or French?
Both. It’s officially bilingual, and the French and English versions have different lyrics set to the same melody.
When did “O Canada” become the official anthem?
It was adopted as Canada’s official national anthem on July 1, 1980.
Why were the lyrics changed in 2018?
The line “in all thy sons command” was changed to “in all of us command” to make the anthem gender-neutral.