The Immigrant-Friendly, Belief-Independent and Gender-Neutral National Anthem of Canada O CanadaTo commemorate my boarding the Citizen Ship recently, and as blogged earlier, I took it upon myself to construct a version of O Canada to appeal to Canadians who are now more immigrant-friendly (country’s emerging reality), belief-independent (agnostics / atheists / humanists / non-biblicals ahoy!) and gender-neutral (as much as I’m a typical guy who’d like to have a son as first-born to share fishing and sport with, the state shouldn’t encourage me subliminally with the anthem, you know.)

Not that people have not been trying.

I have given a side-by-side comparison later so that those who are still not a hundred percent on their lyrical prowess and my rendition, can see how I have, er, improved the Original anthem. You may also wish to listen and referesh yourself with the original beforehand, just in case.

citizen shipSo one fine morning, not very long ago, I pledged my allegiance to the Queen by raising my right hand to affirm my loyalty to the Crown and became a Canadian Citizen.

I was instructed to bring along a religious book of my choice, but as an agnostic with serious mood swings into atheism and back, I decided my word was good enough for the King and the Country — and the honourable Canadian Justice system agreed.

People were accompanied by friends and family who cheered and took photographs. As a solo participant, I smiled politely at everyone and laughed occasionally to the judge’s quips during the inaugural pep-talk.

Then we all merrily sang along the Canadian national Anthem. There were no milk and cookies, sadly.

immigrate or not

This post is part of Guest Posts series where Guest Bloggers write for A Canada Immigrant’s Blog.

A disciple asked his Zen master: “Shall I get married or not?” “Whatever you choose you will regret it!” answered the Zen master.

So the answer to our question would be the same.

But I have read something else – that’s the problem of being an avid reader, it’s difficult to come with something original and whatever I think it is original I might have read it somewhere and I forgot that I read it, but I digress so I’ll just start with a new sentence for a better impact.

It is better to regret you have done something than to regret you have not done it. So simple and powerful, it would make a good article for one of the self-development blogs.

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