National Anthems

Little known fact…

Canada has one national anthem, “O Canada”. But O Canada has two different set of words.

The words in French are:

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.

Translated to English this means something like:

O Canada!
Land of our ancestors,
Your forehead is surrounded with glorious florets!
Because your arm can hold the sword,
He can carry the cross!
Your story is an epic
Most brilliant exploits.
And your value soaked faith,
Will protect our homes and our rights.
Will protect our homes and our rights.

(There is also a bilingual version that mixes the two.)

A little digging comes up with a less "archaizing" translation, that makes much more sense:

O, Canada! Land of our ancestors,
You wear a garland of glorious flowers,
Because your arm knows how to carry the sword,
And it knows how to carry the cross.
Your history is an epic tale
Of the most brilliant adventures,
And your courage, strengthened by faith,
Will protect our homes and our rights!
Will protect our homes and our rights!