Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

The Oxford Book of Canadian Verse

Song for Canada

Charles Sangster (1822–1893)

SONS of the race whose sires

Aroused the martial flame

That filled with smiles

The triune Isles,

Through all their heights of fame!

With hearts as brave as theirs,

With hopes as strong and high,

We’ll ne’er disgrace

The honoured race

Whose deeds can never die.

Let but the rash intruder dare

To touch our darling strand,

The martial fires

That thrilled our sires

Would flame throughout the land.

Our lakes are deep and wide,

Our fields and forests broad;

With cheerful air

We’ll speed the share,

And break the fruitful sod;

Till blest with rural peace,

Proud of our rustic toil,

On hill and plain

True kings we’ll reign,

The victors of the soil.

But let the rash intruder dare

To touch our darling strand,

The martial fires

That thrilled our sires

Would light him from the land.

Health smiles with rosy face

Amid our sunny dales,

And torrents strong

Fling hymn and song

Through all the mossy vales;

Our sons are living men,

Our daughters fond and fair;

A thousand isles

Where Plenty smiles,

Make glad the brow of Care.

But let the rash intruder dare

To touch our darling strand,

The martial fires

That thrilled our sires

Would flame throughout the land.

And if in future years

One wretch should turn and fly,

Let weeping Fame

Blot out his name

From Freedom’s hallowed sky;

Or should our sons e’er prove

A coward, traitor race,—

Just Heaven! frown

In thunder down

T’ avenge the foul disgrace!

But let the rash intruder dare

To touch our darling strand,

The martial fires

That thrilled our sires

Would light him from the land.