Is “All Thy Sons” Sexist? The Canadian National Anthem Debate

I actually can’t believe I’m reporting this….buuuuut here it is:

OTTAWA—Three days after Canadians belted out “O Canada” to celebrate the nation’s Olympic hockey win, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives are asking whether the anthem should be changed.

The phrase “In all thy sons command” has some women calling for a gender-neutral version, Industry Minister Tony Clement says, citing an email from a constituent.

“For 50 years ….. I’ve listened to our anthem and felt excluded by the line,” Tina Prietz, 60, of Huntsville, Ont., wrote to Clement. “Yes, you’ve guessed it, I’m female.”

The Conservative government said in Wednesday’s throne speech it will ask Parliament to examine the original wording of the anthem. Officials said later a parliamentary committee will study whether the phrase “In all thy sons command” should be changed to “Thou dost in us command,” which the Prime Minister’s Office says is the wording from the original version.

Harper aide Andrew MacDougall said the government does not have a view on the change.

Prietz said she was proud to see so many Canadians win gold medals and hear the national anthem during the Olympics, but added some of the words stick in her craw.

“I would love to see the anthem slightly changed to ‘In all of us command,’.” Prietz said.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff doesn’t object to a more “gender-sensitive” anthem, but said the government should take serious steps to improve the status of women.

The anthem is based on lyrics penned in 1908, and slightly altered in the 1980 National Anthem Act. The original French version survives unaltered.

Courtesy: thestar

Well Tina, here are some thoughts courtesy of Dr. Chilm of LDU.

All thy sons command you to shut up and sing the anthem.

We’re not actually going to change the anthem because some 60 year old is still hanging onto a burning bra are we? (Now that was sexist comment)

The problem I have with changing the anthem is that it’s not a childrens’ song that you make up the words to as you go.  It’s our National Anthem. “O’ Canada” has been around since 1880, though not officially proclaimed our national anthem until July 1, 1980.  It’s a piece of our history. Yes, changing the lyrics would be a piece of history too but it seems a little too ultra conservative.

Click here for more historical info on our National Anthem

In other news “God Save The Queen” has been changed to ”Gender Neutral God Save The Queen, but Save The King as well because he is of equal importance”