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Poetry: Tell me your stories —O Canada

From the earth O Canada your stories I hear;
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From the earth O Canada your stories I hear;

Gather around the drums, draw near,

Tell me of your rich oral tradition

Connecting your people to the lands.

From the log man down the White Water

You hear them

From the Squamish river they sing their songs

For on the waters, their voices echo along.

Tell me your stories of the Paleo-Indians

Tell me how from narrative traditions Canada emerged

Tell me their stories to ring sweetly on my ears

Tell me of their journeys to generations down the years.

Tell me your stories O Canada of your native people —

The Maliseet, the Mi’kmaq and the Passamaquoddy

Tell me them all.

Tell me of the good hunting and fishing spots

for reaping food for animals and plants

Tell me of the spawning salmon and of Hell’s Gate

Tell me your sacred creation stories

revealing the truth of your God.

Tell me your stories O Canada, from rivers to coasts

Tell me of the Ohio River Valley, of the Miramichi that boasts

Tell me of the saltwater hunters of the archaic coastal villages

hunting in their canoes - livelihood far and wide;

Tell me of your deer hunters and tell of your fishermen

of the Bay of Fundy and the Annapolis Valley.

Tell me of your treaties, resolutions,

confederations and great depression

Tell me how amidst wars, revolts, rebellions

you have come - “True north strong and free!”.

Tell me and sing me O Canada songs of the Log Drivers Waltz,

the Red River Valley and the Kelligrews Soiree,

Tell me of the Old Royal Hudson and of the Four Strong Winds

Tell me about the Seasons, the Arctic, the Northern Stars,

Tell me about this land of the groundhog,

Land of the silver birch, home of the beaver —

where the mighty moose wanders at will,

For this is Your Land - made for you and me.

Tell me of the richness of your tradition O Canada

Tell me of the oneness of your spirit, and —

Tell me of the priceless archives in the languages of your people

Tell me of the courtesy that’s bred in all people.

Tell me O Canada of your passion for the games

Tell me of your advancements in science and technology,

Tell me of how you value the health of your people, and —

Tell me of your century and a half of great achievements.

Tell me of your stance for human rights and dignity.

Tell me of your multiracial and multicultural diversity

Inclusive, embracing, tolerant and proud.

One hundred and fifty (150) years and strong O Canada!

From East to West and North to South

Your beautiful country millions call home

Majestic land, we salute you!

So much to learn, so much to know. O,

Tell me, O Canada, of the precious Maple Leaf!

For once again, we’ll hear the sound of yesteryear.

“God, keep our land, glorious and free

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.”

_____

Written by Rev. Miranda Sutherland

July 1, 2018

Email: allsaintsinchrist@gmail.com