O Canada (English) - new gender neutral lyrics- Sultans of String - 2018 - 2021

In January 2018, legislation was passed to make an important change in the English-language version of Canada's national anthem O Canada. The line "True patriot love in all thy sons command" was replaced with "True patriot love in all of us command” to ensure gender parity. This is an important step towards recognizing and including all Canadians in our national anthem.

3x JUNO Award nominees/CFMA winners Sultans of String are celebrating this change with a new video and recording!

As bandleader Chris McKhool explains, music is a perfect medium for uniting people for social justice: “What I really love about music is its ability to bring together people and cultures in a way that emulates what we love to see in the world, creating collaborations that break down the barriers that divide us, helping us to see our common humanity, and providing a model for peace. So we went into the streets of Toronto and invited people to write a message on our 'Peace Kite', and then flew it to spread the message of inclusion and peace across the country. Making this video revealed the tremendous generosity and goodwill of regular Canadians, and the gratitude and pride we all feel about our country. It also reminded us of Canada's important reputation as a peacekeeping nation, and a haven to which people from around the world find freedom from persecution and war."

For a musician whose career has been dedicated to bridging cultures through song, these themes are particularly meaningful. McKhool, whose name would have been spelled Makhoul in Kfarmishki, Lebanon, where his ancestors are from, loves being able to write and perform music with people from around the world who share a common vision. This production is another in an ongoing collaboration with award-winning Pakistani Canadian sitar player Anwar Khurshid. "He’s become a great musical and personal friend", says McKhool. "Together we started writing songs about the freedom and equality we personally experience living here in Canada, and about our hope of creating a better world for all.”

Credits:

Sultans of String:
Chris McKhool - violin
Kevin Laliberte - guitar
Drew Birston - bass
Rosendo ‘Chendy’ Leon - percussion

Featuring special guests:
Anwar Khurshid - sitar
Rebecca Campbell - vocals
Ravi Naimpally - tabla
Choir - Amoy Levy, Ciceal Levy, Adrienne McKenzie, Camille Harrison, Nevon Sinclair, Danah Martin

Produced by Chris McKhool
Engineered, mixed, mastered by John ‘Beetle’ Bailey
Videography by Jake Roels

For more info, and to invite Chris McKhool and Sultans of String for presentations, please contact:
Lisa Weitz
416-624-3466 (office) • 416-846-6877 (cell)

[McodeYoutube]

my school has been playing this since I was in kindergarten, I found it after a while, and it sounds way better on here than my school's loudspeakers

like 81, very good video creation. Full view. Done, you have now a new supporter. Thank you.

[Danaria]

In gr 1 they always used to play this, brings back memories

[Nasa_Flex_]

As a Canadian it so awesome song and national anthem 🇨🇦

[ohtheagonys]

Thanks for singing Canada's song I love it Cause I live in canada

[Parapraxis]

FANTASTIC! My 3 year old loves it (I do too) bravo fellow Canadian brothers and sisters!

[kuldeepgill]

I moved to Canada and I always listen to this beautiful anthem.

[joannegustyn]

This is the video that I am going to add to my virtual classroom! I love it! Thank you from my kindergartens who will also love it!

[shahzeensaleem]

Amazing just amazing🇨🇦❤🇨🇦❤🇨🇦❤🇨🇦❤🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[surferpam]

I stand up with tears in my eyes. G-d bless each and every one of you. From a neighbor to the south, Pam Miller, California.

[farhadfarhad]

به به صدایشان عالی من رامان هستم از کانادا

[keonburton]

Back when I was in elementary school I used to listen to this nearly every day

[Nvmmmmmm]

these dislikes are from the canadians from austraillia

[EthanZhang]

im ethan and my school plays this every day

[karamoss]

I love love love this version of O Canada! ❤

[fordescapecarAaa]

I live in medicine hat Canada 🇨🇦
Who lives medicine hat Canada ❤❤😮😊
Yayya😁😁😁🇨🇦 love Canada

[shanetakara]

Freedom, Unity, Justice
Love you Canada 🇨🇦❤️

[rtkng]

My principal would play this song at the beginnign of every day

[mattybrunolucaszeneresalas]

No one sings this way. I’m still in school

[clairestorry]

Bast oh Canada I here this ho Canada at school some times it is good