-Kenneth Branagh
My experience of great storytelling, working with classics, is just finding a way to present it simply but let the story do its own work, or be an invite to the audience's imagination. -Kenneth Branagh
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Well, a few of my plans for Canada Day were derailed by the weather. I had been planning to go to Citadel Hill for the celebration there from 12 pm to 2 pm, but drew the line at standing on top of an exposed hill in a torrential downpour to sing O Canada, listen to the cannon being fired, and have- no doubt- soggy birthday cake. The Tattoo parade was also cancelled, for which I had been planning to meet up with my brother and his family (I wasn't really sorry about that... I hate parades). Once the worst of the rain stopped, I ventured out and took the ferry over to Halifax. Usually it's a very scenic trip over the harbour, but today it was so foggy that it was hard to see a foot past the prow of the boat. I was hoping to get a few good pictures of the U.S. aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower, which is in port over the holiday weekend, but it was 'way too foggy. So here are a couple photos someone took the other day when it was arriving and it was sunny: I strolled along the Halifax waterfront, which was hugely crowded-more crowded than I like. But everyone was in a celebratory mood, and having a great time despite the wet weather, so I enjoyed the atmosphere despite the overcrowding. I ended up at the Seaport Market at pier 20 where there were a bunch of Canada Day events going on, including a free concert which, amusingly, kept getting momentarily drowned out by the fog horns in the harbour. I unexpectedly ran into one of my sisters and her family, who were there for the petting zoo and bouncy castles. They had previously been at the Discovery Center, which is a science center for kids, which they always enjoy. The dinosaur exhibit was especially popular with them today: After this, I met up- by design this time- with another sister; we walked back along the waterfront, then went to a restaurant for supper. Here's a few more pictures from the boardwalk: We had been planning to hang around to watch the fireworks, but presumed that they would be cancelled due to the weather, so went home instead. Undeterred by heavy mist, some of my neighbours were setting off fireworks in their yard, so I got to see some anyway. And that was Canada day for me. To close out a week of Canadiana, I just want to say that I live in a great country. As usual, the expression of pride in our country by the vast majority of Canadians has brought the usual assortment of malcontents and ingrates out of the woodwork. These types are so ignorant of what life is like in three quarters of the world, and so lacking in gratitude for the freedom and liberty they enjoy in our land that they constantly condemn Canada and do their best to try to disrupt everyone else's appreciation of our country's blessings. I think it was Cecil Rhodes who once said something to the effect that to be born an Englishman was to win the lottery of life. In this day and age, to be born in North America- in Canada- makes us some of the most blessed people on earth. This isn't to say that I believe Canada to be flawless and above reproach; like every country, we have had dark moments in our history, made mistakes, and had moral failures. To be honest, I am extremely critical of our current government and its alarming incursions on freedom of speech and, frankly, our prime minister makes me cringe almost every time he opens his mouth. But I don't pretend to understand those who seem to believe that, unless Canada is perfect, it cannot be good... and whom have nothing critical to say about countries who are demonstrably worse in every single way than their own. Personally, I thank God every day for this beautiful country and for the privilege of living in it. Long may He keep it glorious and free. Related Posts: The patriotic song The Maple Leaf Forever was written in 1867, which is the year of Canada's Confederation by Alexander Muir. Muir was a school teacher in Ontario, and also served with the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, fighting with them at the Battle of Ridgeway. He wrote The Maple Leaf Forever while serving in this regiment, for a patriotic poetry contest being held by the Caledonian Society (he won second place). The first verse of the song references the taking of Quebec by the British army led by General James Wolfe during the Seven Years' War. The fateful battle occurred on the Plains of Abraham overlooking the city, against the French forces led by the Marquise de Montcalm. As stated, the British were victorious, though Wolfe- and Montcalm- were killed during the battle. This verse also highlights Canada's heritage and close ties with Britain: "The thistle (Scotland), shamrock (Ireland), rose (England) entwined". Verse one is the reason why, though it was frequently used as such for many years, The Maple Leaf Forever didn't end up being our official national anthem; French Canadians didn't like it, even when Muir changed the verse to include the lily- France's symbol- along with the thistle, etc. This is why we ended up with O Canada, written over a decade later... confession: I prefer The Maple Leaf Forever, though I of course sing O Canada with pride. The second verse goes on to talk of a couple battles of the War of 1812 in which Britain was victorious. The lyrics of the song have been modified on numerous occasions, most notably in 1997 when the CBC, not content to leave a good thing alone, held a contest to have someone write more "inclusive" lyrics. The winner was Vladimir Radian, and I really don't like this version, which is pretty toothless with every mention of military action removed, and lots of fluffy words about how pretty Canada is. If one has to have updated lyrics, I prefer those by G.E. Benton, an army chaplain, whose version acknowledges the sacrifices made by those fighting for our freedoms, and the necessity if always being ready to defend them. Here are the original lyrics by Alexander Muir: In days of yore, from Britain's shore, Wolfe, the dauntless hero, came And planted firm Britannia's flag On Canada's fair domain. Here may it wave, our boast, our pride And, joined in love together, The thistle, shamrock, rose entwine The Maple Leaf forever! Chorus: The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear, The Maple Leaf forever! God save our Queen and Heaven bless The Maple Leaf forever! At Queenston Heights and Lundy's Lane, Our brave fathers, side by side, For freedom, homes and loved ones dear, Firmly stood and nobly died; And those dear rights which they maintained, We swear to yield them never! Our watchword evermore shall be "The Maple Leaf forever!" Chorus Our fair Dominion now extends From Cape Race to Nootka Sound; May peace forever be our lot, And plenteous store abound: And may those ties of love be ours Which discord cannot sever, And flourish green o'er freedom's home The Maple Leaf forever! Chorus On merry England's far famed land May kind heaven sweetly smile, God bless old Scotland evermore and Ireland's Em'rald Isle! And swell the song both loud and long Till rocks and forest quiver! God save our Queen and Heaven bless The Maple Leaf forever! Chorus The Radian version: O, land of blue unending skies, Mountains strong and sparkling snow, A scent of freedom in the wind, O'er the emerald fields below. To thee we brought our hopes, our dreams, For thee we stand together, Our land of peace, where proudly flies, The Maple Leaf forever. Chorus: Long may it wave, and grace our own, Blue skies and stormy weather, Within my heart, above my home, The Maple Leaf forever! From East and West, our heroes came, Through icy fields and frozen bays, Who conquered fear, and cold, and hate, And their ancient wisdom says: Protect the weak, defend your rights, And build this land together, Above which shine the Northern Lights, And the Maple Leaf forever! (Chorus) The Benton lyrics: In days of yore from splendid shores, Bold and true, our founders came, And planted firm those rights of old, Into Canada's fair domain, This hallowed oath and legacy, We vow to yield it never!, For life and peace and liberty!, The Maple Leaf Forever!, The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear, The Maple Leaf Forever!, Long may it wave and God defend, The Maple Leaf Forever!, Thro' battle flame in lands afar, Our brave warriors side by side, For freedom, home, and lov'd ones dear, Firmly stood and nobly died, Their sacrifice and valour shine, Their Names Will Live Forever!, O Valiant hearts whose deeds proclaim, The Maple Leaf Forever!, The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear, The Maple Leaf Forever!, Long may it wave and God defend, The Maple Leaf Forever!, O land where season's gifts abound, Earth's own bounties rich embrace, Where flowing waters' majesty, Sing the hymn of freedom's grace, From oceantide to northern light, All bound as One Together!, Dominion blessed from sea to sea, The Maple Leaf Forever!, The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear, The Maple Leaf Forever!, Long may it wave and God defend, The Maple Leaf Forever!, Related Posts: |
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