With one day left before the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympics in MyCity, I am feeling all kinds of corny and glorious and misty, every time I see a videoclip or hear my national anthem. It is a strange feeling, all this overwhelming pride.
Yet there is something that stirs me - so oddly, so deeply - that I can't help but feel passionate, and to hope, for the sake of you all, that I can toe the line between heartfelt and downright obnoxious.
Yet there is something that stirs me - so oddly, so deeply - that I can't help but feel passionate, and to hope, for the sake of you all, that I can toe the line between heartfelt and downright obnoxious.
Because all of these misperceptions about our country? We're more than that.
All of the political rhetoric? We're more than that, too.
Is it wrong to share with you the words of a spoken word artist?
Well, then - I don't wanna be right.
Because spoken or written - this guy is a genius.
And, thanks to the brilliance of Canadian slam poet Shane Koyczan (go here for his website, House of Parlance),I present to you today's Thoughtful Thursday:
We Are More
Define Canada.
You might say the home of The Rocket or The Great One
who inspired little 9's and little number 99's
But we're more than hockey and fishing lines
off the rocky coast of the Maritimes
and some say what defines us is something as simple as
'Please' and 'Thank You'
and as for "You're Welcome" - well, we say that too
But we are more than genteel and civilized
we are an idea in the process of being realized
we are young
we are a culture strung together, then woven
into a tapestry
and the design is what makes us
more than the sum totals
of our history
we are an experiment going right for a change
with influences that range from 'A' to 'Zed'
and yes, we say 'zed' instead of 'zee'
we are the colors of Chinatown, the coffee of Little Italy
we dream so big
that there are some that would call our ambition
an industry
because we are vineyards
of good year after good year
we reforest what we clear
because we believe
in generations beyond our own
knowing now that so many of us have grown past what we used to be
we can stand here today
filled with all the hope people have
when they say things like,
'Someday...'
because we are more than a laundry list of
things to do and places to see
more than hills to ski and countryside ponds to skate
we are the abandoned hesitation
of all those who can't wait
we are first-rate greasy spoon diners and healthy-living cafes
a country
that is all the ways you choose to live
a nation
that can give you variety
because we are choices
we are millions upon millions of voices shouting
'Keep exploring'
we are more
we are the surprise the world has in store for you
it's true
Canada is the 'What' in 'What's New'
so don't let your luggage define your travels, each life
unravels differently
and experiences are
what make up the colors of our tapestry
we are
The True North Strong and Free
and what's more
is that we didn't just say it -
we made it be
****
Define Canada.
You might say the home of The Rocket or The Great One
who inspired little 9's and little number 99's
But we're more than hockey and fishing lines
off the rocky coast of the Maritimes
and some say what defines us is something as simple as
'Please' and 'Thank You'
and as for "You're Welcome" - well, we say that too
But we are more than genteel and civilized
we are an idea in the process of being realized
we are young
we are a culture strung together, then woven
into a tapestry
and the design is what makes us
more than the sum totals
of our history
we are an experiment going right for a change
with influences that range from 'A' to 'Zed'
and yes, we say 'zed' instead of 'zee'
we are the colors of Chinatown, the coffee of Little Italy
we dream so big
that there are some that would call our ambition
an industry
because we are vineyards
of good year after good year
we reforest what we clear
because we believe
in generations beyond our own
knowing now that so many of us have grown past what we used to be
we can stand here today
filled with all the hope people have
when they say things like,
'Someday...'
because we are more than a laundry list of
things to do and places to see
more than hills to ski and countryside ponds to skate
we are the abandoned hesitation
of all those who can't wait
we are first-rate greasy spoon diners and healthy-living cafes
a country
that is all the ways you choose to live
a nation
that can give you variety
because we are choices
we are millions upon millions of voices shouting
'Keep exploring'
we are more
we are the surprise the world has in store for you
it's true
Canada is the 'What' in 'What's New'
so don't let your luggage define your travels, each life
unravels differently
and experiences are
what make up the colors of our tapestry
we are
The True North Strong and Free
and what's more
is that we didn't just say it -
we made it be
****
To hear the master live(ish), go to the YouTube page here.
8 comments:
"don't let your luggage define your travels"
Wow. That line will be running a marathon in my head forever. Thanks for this, B.
Proud! as you should be!
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I love your national anthem!
I saw Bill carry the torch the other night on the computer. It was awesome!
I'm so glad you're my next door neighbor!
Now, True North Strong and Free... show the world what you got! I'll be tuning in!
Countess Ti: It is certainly chock full of really meaningful symbolism.
It's a real testament to his smarts that every single line is so resonant (to me, at least...)
Countess NNG: But not too proud - because that would just be bad manners.
Countess D: I love it, too! Guaranteed tear-inducer, every time. I am also so glad you're my neighbor - and so enthusiastic to boot! Love ya, lady!
Love it, I love any words with real cadence but these make me proud to pretend I am Canadian when I travel abroad:)
Countess FF: I'm kind of ashamed that I used to find the whole 'spoken word' thing a little hokey - but this guy's introduced me to the possibilities. And BTW, isn't that a new Toby Keith song, "Proud to Pretend I'm Canadian"?? ;)
So how did you somehow know that he would be the only really moving and wonderful and not cheddar-cheesy part of the Opening event?
Countess Rachel: Now THERE's the Rachel I know! Only you could call kd lang cheddar-cheesy. Pass the apple pie, sister, 'cuz I'm loving it!!
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