2018-07-02 11:54:14其石山人

加拿大 151歲生日

 
從1867年到現在,加拿大已經151歲了。

和好友們去大村莊賭場(Grand Villa)吃自助晚餐,以玆慶祝。實際的情形是我們都收到賭場發來的 2 for 1 國慶自助餐券,兩個人去吃只需付一個人的錢。
 

自助晚餐從下午4點開始,我們有點失算,沒有提早一些抵達。趕在4點之前到,停車場已經停得滿滿的,繞了兩圈,才停到一個位置。進去一看,隊伍已經排得有點長。幸好,總算僅有的兩張圓桌中還有一張空著,6個人可以坐在一起。


下午起,本拿比中央公園就有慶祝活動,如同往年,主要是搭了個舞台,請了三位歌星來唱歌,像演唱會一樣。

傍晚下起大雨,窗外聽到一群年輕人的笑語,他們七、八個人,有三位把加拿大國旗當披風,披在肩背上,往中央公園走去。

晚上10點放煙火,站出家門前,在路樹下躲著雨,隔著林梢觀看。有數位鄰居陸續走向公園。有一位經過身旁時還鼓勵我:「一起來吧,才五分鐘的走路而已。」

煙火的YouTube影片:

 
為了表現男女平等,加拿大國歌今年初略微修改歌詞,現在最新的版本是:

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.

(Refrain)
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee

CBC電視台為了懷古,特別找出1900年代初期,最早時歌詞原作者Robert Stanley Weir所寫的版本是:

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love thou dost in us command.
We see thee rising fair, dear land,
The True North, strong and free;
And stand on guard, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.

(Refrain)
O Canada! O Canada!
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee,
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.

O Canada! Where pines and maples grow.
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow.
How dear to us thy broad domain,
From East to Western sea.
Thou land of hope for all who toil!
Thou True North, strong and free!

(Refrain)

O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies
May stalwart sons, and gentle maidens rise,
To keep thee steadfast through the years
From East to Western sea.
Our own beloved native land!
Our True North, strong and free!

(Refrain)

Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our Dominion within thy loving care;
Help us to find, O God, in thee
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the better Day,
We ever stand on guard.

(Refrain)