Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Americas: Vol. XXX. 1876–79.

Introductory to British America

Song for Canada

By 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 honored race

Whose deeds can never die.

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.

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.

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!