It’s not the easiest song in the world to sing but don’t let that stop you.
It didn’t hold back Blue Door’s CEO Michael Braithwaite, who belted out his rendition of O Canada on Sunday, April 5 for the first time in a bid to encourage people across the country to give a virtual “hug” by way of the national anthem to health-care workers on the frontline doing life-saving work and others who can’t work from home.
“We encourage you, good or bad, to sing O Canada, and I apologize to the country ahead of time for my terrible voice,” Braithwaite says with a laugh during the introduction of his video, which has so far gained more than 160 views.
Every Sunday at noon for as long as needed, you are invited to join the nation in sending Canada’s frontline health-care workers a virtual hug and a big thank-you in the form of a video performance of O Canada that you share on your social media networks with the hashtag, #thanksohcanada.
If you want to hoot and holler at the end of the video, or bang some pots, you are welcome to make noise so those who are on the frontlines fighting this public health crisis can hear you.
Blue Door, which is the largest emergency housing provider in York Region for men, male youth, and families experiencing homelessness or are at-risk, says to sing it loud, sing it proud, in French or English.
Just sing it. Rain or shine. Just sing it, they say.
Blue Door staff also sang and recorded a video Sunday which they sent out from their homes across the region to show gratitude and support for Canada’s frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s lots of things this great nation is doing right now,” Braithwaite said. “Things that make us all proud in these harrowing times. And it's also a time many of us would like to do more to thank frontline workers, first responders, health-care workers, and all who can't work from home in some way.”
“Together, we thought it would be nice to thank them with our voices. Good or bad, young or old,” added Braithwaite.
Here’s how you can get involved:
On Sundays at 12 p.m. from a location of your choice that respects the six-foot physical distancing guidelines, video yourself singing O Canada and post it to your social media channels with the hashtag, #thanksohcanada.
You can applaud at the end to thank all the workers on the front line or bang some pots, because “they’re heroic Canadians, and they deserve thanks and true love, strong and free,” Braithwaite said.
The #thanksohcanada idea was shared with Blue Door by consultants Geoffrey Roche and Jack Harding, of C-suite consultancy firm, Disruptincy.
Here’s the official lyrics to O Canada in English and French:
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.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
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Ô Canada! Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
