Happy Canada Day!

On July 1, 1867, Canada became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain and a federation of four provinces: Nova Scotia; New Brunswick; Ontario; and Quebec. The anniversary of this date was called Dominion Day until 1982. Since 1983, July 1 has been officially known as Canada Day.

Sometimes Saintly Nick recommends:

Another Side of Christmas

I encountered this poem while I was searching the Internet for something else. It touches me, both personally and professionally.

The poet is named Steve Woodman. Searching the Internet has provided very little information about him, except that I believe that he is Canadian and these are his words about this poem, Unhappy Christmas:

It saddens me, that every day, children around the world suffer abuse from drunken parents, and at Christmas, a special time for children, parents use it as an excuse to get smashed and then take it out on their children.

This poem was written especially for the children.

Now the poem that shows a side of Christmas that I believe too many children have seen:

What did you get for Christmas?
Was it something nice?
I'm sitting here in Casualty,
My face is packed with ice.

I dread it every Christmas,
They never give me toys,
Daddy will get drunk again,
His nights out with the boys.

I know he doesn't mean it,
He's far to drunk to know,
He hits me hard for nothing,
And bruises always show.

A Christmas to remember,
The policemen had to call,
They took my Dad away this time,
He said I'd had a fall.

He's really done it this time,
An ambulance had to come,
That's why I'm sitting here in Casualty,
Waiting with me Mum.

~ Steve Woodman

Song(s) for Canada

As so often happens when I do research, I not only found what I was seeking but lots of other related things. I first heard Song for Canada by Canadian folksinger and song writer, Ian Tyson, over forty years ago. For this Canada Day, I set about seeking the lyrics to post here. I found them easily enough, but I also found another song entitled Song for Canada by Lianna Klassen whose lyrics enthralled me. Being in no mood to choose between the two, I post the lyrics of both in honor of the nation that is the northern neighbor of my own (and where reside several of my dearest friends):

Song for Canada (Lianna Klassen)

I have felt the wind upon my face
On this Atlantic shore
And in the West I've stood and watched
The noble eagles soar
And I have seen the fields of gold
And green and yellow too
And on the majesty of mountains
Touching skies of blue

And my heart's
Overwhelmed
For this nation that I love
This is my song
For Canada

A song for unity
And a song for freedom
Oh Lord our God
May your healing come
And may the walls that divide us
No longer stand
Oh Lord
Our God
Heal out land

In the colour of the Northern Lights
That leap and dance and sing
In the stillness of the forest where
Snow melts in the spring
In the beauty of the muskeg that is
Red and golden brown
In the quiet expectations of the
City before dawn...

And my heart's
Overwhelmed
For this nation that I love
This is my song
For Canada

A song for unity
And a song for freedom
Oh Lord our God
May your healing come
And may the walls that divide us
No longer stand
Oh Lord
Our God
Heal our land

Oh, revive this generation
With your fire and your rain
So that the faith this land was founded on
Will come to life again
Oh, may the prayers of intercession rise
As incense to the king
That will touch your heart, oh God...
Oh Father, hear our song...

A song for unity
And a song for freedom
Oh Lord our God
May your healing come
And may the walls that divide us
No longer stand
Oh Lord
Our God
Heal our land

Song for Canada (Ian Tyson & Pete Growski )

How come we can't talk to each other any more?
Why can't you see I'm changing too?
We've got by far too long to end it feeling wronged
And I still share too much with you

Just one great river always flowing to the sea
One single river rolling in eternity
Two nations in the land that lies along its shore
But just one river rolling free.

How come you shut me out as if I wasn't there
What's this new bitterness you've found?
However wronged you were, however strong it hurt
It wasn't me that held you down.

Why can't you understand I'm glad you're standing proud
I know you made it on your own
But in this pride you've earned, I thought you might have learned
That you don't have to stand alone

Lonely northern rivers come together till you see
One single river rolling in eternity
Two nations in the land that lies along its shore
But just one river, you and me