I Love Americans! (Really. Seriously.)
  • It happens annually every June through September. Our Church fills up every Sunday, people actually open their hymnals, and they sing. Why? Because they are American!
    Singing is part of their heritage. American children are made to sing the National Anthem every morning in school. Canadian children just stand up and listen to a recording of the music.... without the lyrics!
    This is how Canadian congregations sing: They sit back in the pew, cross their arms, and look at the musicians as if to say, "OK. Entertain me."
    Ever seen Canadians at a hockey game when they sing the National Anthem? They hesitantly stand up, look around like they're embarrassed to be there, and they don't even know the words.

    I love Americans.
  • Jeffrey Quick
    Posts: 2,048
    We have Germans. Your few Germans forgot how to sing in Russia.
    Thanked by 1PurpleSquirrel
  • It's ironic because the Canadian national anthem is actually singable by the ordinary person, whereas the American one is just…ick, even for some trained singers.
    Thanked by 1PurpleSquirrel
  • matthewjmatthewj
    Posts: 2,696
    As a Canadian, I have had similar experiences. I remember in grade school (gr 1-8), our music grade on our report card was based ENTIRELY on whether or not we moved our lips (sound was not necessary) during O Canada on Tuesdays and Thursdays and God Save the Queen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Nobody sang, but most of us got Bs because we moved our lips to the words really well.

    Now that I live in America, though, I'll run into Canadians visiting for hockey games that belt out O Canada like crazy. They're proud to sing it on foreign soil.
    Thanked by 1PurpleSquirrel
  • GavinGavin
    Posts: 2,799
    I've always heard that Canadians really sing O Canada, and I'm surprised to hear otherwise!
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  • Ruth Lapeyre
    Posts: 341
    I love "O Canada", but I have to say my favorite rendition of any National song is, "Our Country Reeks of Trees," from the old Ren and Stimpy show!
    Thanked by 1PurpleSquirrel