John Talon-Lespérance (1835–1891)

SHALL we break the plight of youth,

And pledge us to an alien love?

No! We hold our faith and truth,

Trusting to the God above.

Stand, Canadians, firmly stand

Round the flag of fatherland!

Britain bore us in her flank,

Britain nursed us at our birth,

Britain reared us to our rank

’Mid the nations of the earth.

Stand, Canadians, firmly stand

Round the flag of fatherland!

In the hour of pain and dread,

In the gathering of the storm,

Britain raised above our head

Her broad shield and sheltering arm.

Stand, Canadians, firmly stand

Round the flag of fatherland!

O triune Kingdom of the brave,

O sea-girt Island of the free,

O Empire of the land and wave,

Our hearts, our hands, are all for thee!

Stand, Canadians, firmly stand

Round the flag of fatherland!