In a significant moment during the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game on Thursday, Canadian national anthem singer Chantal Kreviazuk subtly altered the lyrics of “O Canada” in a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump. The change came before Canada’s 3-2 overtime win over the United States.
As Kreviazuk sang the anthem, she changed the line “in all of us command” to “that only us command,” which she later explained was a response to Trump’s controversial comments about making Canada part of the United States. Kreviazuk posted on Instagram, elaborating on her decision, expressing her discontent with Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods.
“During soundcheck, I mistakenly sang ‘in all thy sons command’ out of habit, but after reflecting on the new line, I realized it could hold significant meaning for our country at this moment. A simple change of two words, three syllables, seemed incredibly relevant,” Kreviazuk wrote.
She continued, emphasizing the importance of artistic expression in times of political unrest. “Art is an expression of our truth. The anthem isn’t a law—it’s a reflection of the collective spirit, which can change to meet the moment. In this critical time, we must raise our voices against abuses of power.”
Kreviazuk, inspired by peaceful conflict resolution, stressed Canada’s sovereignty. “Canada, like Ukraine, is a sovereign nation. We have our own culture, united by our values of kindness, strength, and care.”
The political message behind Kreviazuk’s altered lyrics was confirmed by her publicist, Adam Gonshor, to the Associated Press. This gesture came amidst ongoing tensions between the two nations, particularly after Trump’s remarks on annexing Canada.
During a prior game, Canadian fans in Montreal booed “The Star Spangled Banner” in response to Trump’s statements, prompting some U.S. fans in Boston to boo “O Canada” during Thursday’s match. Canada’s victory over the U.S. gave Canadian officials an opportunity to make a pointed statement, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posting on X, “You can’t take our country—and you can’t take our game.”
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