National Anthem Comparison
Canada vs United Kingdom
2
Shared themes
✓
Same mood
135
135 years apart
✗
Different continents
Canada
O Canada
United Kingdom
God Save the King
Comparison Analysis
Canada (North America) and United Kingdom (Europe) come from different parts of the world, yet both express national identity through song. Canada's "O Canada" was written in 1880; United Kingdom's "God Save the King" in 1745.
Both anthems share themes of Love of homeland and God / Faith. Canada additionally explores Freedom, Nature and Ancestors / Heritage, while United Kingdom also touches on Monarchy and Hope.
Both anthems carry a Majestic tone, creating a similar emotional register despite their geographic distance.
United Kingdom's anthem predates Canada's by 135 years, having been written in 1745 compared to 1880.
Canada changed its national anthem in 2018, reflecting a shift in the nation's identity or political landscape.
Shared themes
Canada
❤ Love of homeland 🕊 Freedom 🌿 Nature ✝ God / Faith 🏺 Ancestors / Heritage
United Kingdom
👑 Monarchy ✝ God / Faith ❤ Love of homeland 🌅 Hope
Shared themes:
❤ Love of homeland ✝ God / Faith
Metadata
| Canada | United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1880 | 1745 |
| Adopted | 1980 | 1745 |
| Lyricist | Robert Stanley Weir | Unknown (traditionally attributed to Henry Carey) |
| Composer | Calixa Lavallee | Unknown |
| Language | en/fr | en |
| Region | North America | Northern Europe |
Lyrics Side by Side
Canada
O Canada
Original
[English]
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us 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.
[Français]
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.
United Kingdom
God Save the King
Original
God save our gracious King,
Long live our noble King,
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King!
O Lord our God arise,
Scatter his enemies
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all!
Thy choicest gifts in store
On him be pleased to pour,
Long may he reign!
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the King!
Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world o'er.
Translation
God save our gracious King,
Long live our noble King,
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King!
O Lord our God arise,
Scatter his enemies
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all!
Thy choicest gifts in store
On him be pleased to pour,
Long may he reign!
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the King!
Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world o'er.
Interesting facts
Canada
- 1. The French and English lyrics are not translations of each other; they are entirely different poems set to the same melody
- 2. In 2018 the lyrics were changed from 'in all thy sons command' to 'in all of us command' to make them gender-neutral
- 3. Before becoming the official anthem in 1980, 'God Save the Queen' served as the royal anthem and 'The Maple Leaf Forever' was also widely used
United Kingdom
- 1. The melody has been used by over 20 countries for their anthems, including Germany (before 'Deutschlandlied'), Russia (under the Tsars), and the United States ('My Country, 'Tis of Thee')
- 2. There is a rarely performed verse that calls for crushing rebellious Scots, which is diplomatically omitted at official events
- 3. After Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022, the lyrics changed from 'Queen' to 'King' for the first time in over 70 years, requiring updated recordings across the Commonwealth
Listen
Canada
United Kingdom
