Well, Canada has arrived! Another year gone by since the last, full of days that seemed to last forever, weekends that seemed too short…yet here we are again, all too soon. The long days of summer have arrived, flowers bloom and fruit already lays heavy on trees.
What binds us to this piece of land on planet Earth we call Canada? Is this chunk of land what Canada is? Is it the people, the places, the varied culture? What do we celebrate?
Composed by Eric Robertson and Steve Hyde, I had always hoped this would become our national anthem – Canada Is, sung by Roger Whittaker
Canada Is…
Canada is the Rocky Mountains, Canada is Prince Edward Island
Canada is a country made for love. Canada is La Belle Provence
Canada is the Yukon Mine, Canada is a country full of love.
We have love for our neighbour, Of whatever creed or colour
We have love for our cities, And our valleys and our plains
We have a voice that is calling, Telling all the world we’re willing
To welcome them to this great land, For that’s what Canada is.
Canada is the Rocky Mountains, Canada is Prince Edward Island
Canada is a country made for love, Canada is La Belle Provence
Canada is the Yukon Mine, Canada is a country full of faith.
We have faith in our future, We’re ready for tomorrow
We have faith in our children, For our future’s in their hands
We have a voice that is calling, Telling us to keep on hoping
For time will make this wild land great, And that’s what Canada is.
Canada is the Rocky Mountains, Canada is Prince Edward Island
Canada is a country made for love, Canada is La Belle Provence
Canada is the Yukon Mine, Canada is a country loving peace.
We have peace in our valleys, We’re happy and contented
We have peace in our cities, And our boundaries have no chains
We have a voice that is calling, Telling all free men we’re willing
To show them how to live in peace, For that’s what Canada is.
Canada is the Rocky Mountains, Canada is Prince Edward Island
Canada is a country made for love. Canada is La Belle Provence
Canada is the Yukon Mine, Canada is a country full of love.
Let us celebrate our achievements together in working to make our world a better place this Canada day, but also take time to remind ourselves of the work ahead. Do we have love for our neighbour, of whatever creed or color? Do we all live in peace, happy and contented?
As we make plans to go to fireworks displays, special events, carnivals, parades…celebrate Canada day by inviting along someone you know cannot afford it, buy a “Canada day meal” for one of the over one million homeless who live on the streets in Canada. Perhaps you know a single mother who cannot take her child or children out for a day of fun…
On a personal note – Canada is a concept, an ideal if you will that we all hold in our heads – each as real for every one of us. When our viewpoint relies on a concept or idea, especially one heavily supported by media and government, we tend to stay blind to the deeper truths behind the concept. Ask yourself what it is about Canada day that you relate to, and then find out if it is truth or concept.
I have found that in habitually celebrating “days” set aside during the year, whether birthdays, Christmas, etc…I missed the point. Over the last few years, I instead celebrate the smiles and laughter, the camaraderie amongst people and the playing of children. I see the best of us coming to the surface – and refuse to ‘revert’ once the day is over. Perhaps whatever you relate to on Canada day doesn’t have to end at dusk with the holiday…
Namaste – and happy Canada Day!
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