Interpretations needed (!): "True, patriot love in all thy sons command"

[Starberry]

Hey everyone,
I am in need of some personal (or professional...) interpretations of these lyrics from our national anthem:

What do you think that the words "True, patriot love in all thy sons command" means? Is Canada said to HAVE true patriot love? INSTILL true patriot love? BE true patriot love? And does "in all thy sons command" mean that Canada forces true patriot love on its sons? Or does command mean inspire?

Help!
Insight? Opinions? Knowledge?
Please and thanks!
*Jen*

[ebbomega]

Command true patriot love in all thy sons.

[tiedye]

^^
Ace!

[Starberry]

Hmm...alright. I'm gonna go with your take on this, because that was my opinion as well, but I haaaave found a few articles that argue otherwise.

Go with your first instinct, I was always told!
Thank yoooooou!

*Jen*

[tiedye]

Originally Posted by Starberry

but I haaaave found a few articles that argue otherwise.

examples? I'm curious

[fable]

hahaha, yeh, these lines are personal faves of mine:

True, patriot love

-as in, deep unadulteraded, unshakeable, narrowminded NATIONALISM

in all thy sons command

-in militiristic terms, if something is in your "command" then essentially it is your responsibility, under your watch, dependent on your ability to maintain.

So, my belief of said line, would basically be that, if one considers themselves a true blooded Canadian citizen, then it is their responsibilty to upkeep, and maintain said "nationalism"

hope this helps, this for homework?

(My own personal feelings of Canadian nationalism are somewhat negetive, to say the least.)

[Starberry]

^ Yeah...I'm just writing a paper for my Canadian Lit class...

Originally Posted by tiedye

examples? I'm curious

Basically just what I've already said...that the word 'command' may mean 'inspire' or may be read as the verb 'deserve' rather than the noun 'command' (that they just used 'command' because it rhymes with 'land')...all that jazz.

*Jen*

[ebbomega]

Originally Posted by fable

hahaha, yeh, these lines are personal faves of mine:

True, patriot love

-as in, deep unadulteraded, unshakeable, narrowminded NATIONALISM

in all thy sons command

-in militiristic terms, if something is in your "command" then essentially it is your responsibility, under your watch, dependent on your ability to maintain.

So, my belief of said line, would basically be that, if one considers themselves a true blooded Canadian citizen, then it is their responsibilty to upkeep, and maintain said "nationalism"

hope this helps, this for homework?

(My own personal feelings of Canadian nationalism are somewhat negetive, to say the least.)

the problem with your interpretation is that it lacks a verb.

also that it's written, IIRC, "In all thy sons command", not "In all they son's command". If "sons" is supposed to be plural, then you move the apostrophe to the end of the word.

That being said, wasn't O Canada originally written in French?

[Starberry]

^ Yes, yes it was...

"N.B.: the line is true patriot love in all thy sons command, with no possessive apostrophe; otherwise put, "command (inspire) true patriot love in all thy sons". "
-Says answers.com
Because we all know that the internet it so reliable...lol

*Jen*

[ebbomega]

Originally Posted by Starberry

-Says answers.com
Because we all know that the internet it so reliable...lol

Because we all know FNK is more reliable than answers.com

But the logic is right. So if your teacher gave you lyrics with no possesive apostrophe, then it's the first interpretation.

Bonus points for you if people try to give the other interpretation in class and you call them on it!

[decypher]

Well the word "command" carries the connotation of a requirement or a dictation--suggesting "true love for" ones country is a prerequisite for citizenship. You could also take the "standpoint feminist" perspective with the use of the word "sons" as the implicit use of patriotism. Patriot can mean to fight for ones country. Standpoint feminism believes that women are inherently less warlike then males so the whole phrase "true, patriot love in all they sons command," suggests structuralized hegemonic masculinity.

[Silverwinged]

i love it when people try to get other fnkers to do their homework

[ebbomega]

Originally Posted by decypher

Well the word "command" carries the connotation of a requirement or a dictation--suggesting "true love for" ones country is a prerequisite for citizenship. You could also take the "standpoint feminist" perspective with the use of the word "sons" as the implicit use of patriotism. Patriot can mean to fight for ones country. Standpoint feminism believes that women are inherently less warlike then males so the whole phrase "true, patriot love in all they sons command," suggests structuralized hegemonic masculinity.

Soooooo many syllables.

That reads like a Margaret Atwood novel.

Right down to the rich white chick using big words to complain about the male ego

(fuck I'm bad for edits today)

[decypher]

^^ LOL, yeh i've been reading really dense international relations theory for the last three days. Just thought i'd throw something out their for her to chew on haha.

[Starberry]

Originally Posted by Silverwinged

i love it when people try to get other fnkers to do their homework

Hi,
Yeah...not exactly 'homework'. Just wanted to know what the general consensus was about the interpretation of these words. It actually has nothing to do with my thesis. Does that make you roll your eyes less?

*Jen*

[Atlantis77]

lol

you are starting to sound like me!!! NOOO