Navy to replace official Heart of Oak march with ‘more inclusive’ music

[dimsum]

Navy to replace official Heart of Oak march with ‘more inclusive’ music

A spokesperson for the navy said that Heart of Oak ‘contains language that does not align with values and ethos of today’s Royal Canadian Navy or the broader Canadian Armed Forces’

www.theglobeandmail.com

For context, the RCN is not the first British Commonwealth navy to replace Heart of Oak as their naval march. The Royal Australian Navy replaced it years ago with “The Royal Australian Navy March”.

 

[The Bread Guy]

In case the original G&M link doesn't work, here's an archived version.

For the record, for us land-lubbers, here's the alleged Canadian version of the language in question (source: International Armed Forces Council Website) ....

Come cheer up my lads, tis to glory we steer,
To add something new to this wonderful year;
Tis to honour we call you, as free men not slaves,
For who are so free as the sons of the waves?
(Chorus)

Heart of oak our ships, jolly tars our men,
We always are ready, steady boys, steady.
We'll fight and we'll conquer again, and again.

We ne'er see our foes, but we wish them to stay;
They always see us and they wish us away;
If they run we will follow, we will drive them ashore;
For if they won't fight we can do no more.
(Chorus)

They say they'll invade us, these terrible foes;
Frighten our women, our children, our beaus;
But should their flat-bottoms, in darkness get o'er,
Stout Britons they'll find to defeat them ashore.
(Chorus)

Britannia triumphant, her ships rule the seas,
Her watchword is justice, her password is free.
So come cheer up my lads, with one heart let us sing,
Our soldiers, our sailors, our statesmen, our Queen.
(Chorus sung twice...)

... with this as what happened during the "wonderful year" in question (same source):

... The "wonderful year" referenced in the first verse is 1759-60, during which British forces were victorious in several significant battles: the Battle of Lagos on August 19, 1759, the battle of Quebec City on September 13, 1759 and the battle of Quiberon Bay on 20 November 1759. These were followed a few months later by the Battle of Wandiwash in India on 22 January 1760 ...

 

[daftandbarmy]

In case the original G&M link doesn't work, here's an archived version.

For the record, for us land-lubbers, here's the alleged Canadian version of the language in question (source: International Armed Forces Council Website) ....

... with this as what happened during the "wonderful year" in question (same source):

All, to some extent, combined operations of course

 

[SeaKingTacco]

In case the original G&M link doesn't work, here's an archived version.

For the record, for us land-lubbers, here's the alleged Canadian version of the language in question (source: International Armed Forces Council Website) ....

... with this as what happened during the "wonderful year" in question (same source):

Oh boy, is that a terrible mis-read of history.

The Royal Navy did not protect the slave trade, as is stated by the RCN spokesperson, it actively worked to break it up, in the 1800s. Even in the 1750s, when this was written, I cannot think that too many RN Captains or crews, when boarding a slaver, would have been too impressed by the conditions onboard. But, they would have had no legal basis to do anything about it. Certainly, when operating in the Mediterranean in that period, if the RN had engaged a pirate ship, moving slaves, after winning the engagement the slaves would be freed.

The reference to “freemen not slaves” is more a 1750s specific reference to the RN protecting England from invasion by the French and thus “enslaving” Britons.

Once again- terrible read of history.

 

[Rudburg]

I have no skin in the game, but my suggestion is the song about a sickening sloop that everyone in the Navy already seems to know.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

I have no skin in the game, but my suggestion is the song about a sickening sloop that everyone in the Navy already seems to know.

It mentions god…

 

[Rudburg]

It mentions god…

True, but "god damn them all" is probably secular enough that it won't draw much opposition.

 

[daftandbarmy]

It mentions god…

and the cook was drunk...

 

[The Bread Guy]

It mentions god…

Here's a tune that doesn't mention God AND checks a lot of ... diversity boxes

 

[dimsum]

and the cook was drunk...

So…realistic?

 

[Rudburg]

So…realistic?

Is that the real reason you got rid of the Stewards?

 

[dimsum]

It mentions god…

So does our national anthem, even in the current version.

 

[vonGarvin]

So does our national anthem, even in the current version.

As does our Royal Anthem. And the preamble to the Charter.

 

[dapaterson]

So does our national anthem, even in the current version.

Our national anthem songs about knowing how to carry the cross and the sword.

 

[JLB50]

Just wondering whether “woke” will ever go to sleep.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Maple Leaf Forever

 

[FSTO]

Maple Leaf Forever

Some folks may take issue.

In Days of yore,

From Britain's shore

Wolfe the dauntless hero came

And planted firm Britannia's flag

On Canada's fair domain.

Here may it wave,

Our boast, our pride

And joined in love together,

The thistle, shamrock, rose entwined,

The Maple Leaf Forever.

[CHORUS]

The Maple Leaf

Our Emblem Dear,

The Maple Leaf Forever.

God save our Queen and heaven bless,

 

[Halifax Tar]

Some folks may take issue.

In Days of yore,

From Britain's shore

Wolfe the dauntless hero came

And planted firm Britannia's flag

On Canada's fair domain.

Here may it wave,

Our boast, our pride

And joined in love together,

The thistle, shamrock, rose entwined,

The Maple Leaf Forever.

[CHORUS]

The Maple Leaf

Our Emblem Dear,

The Maple Leaf Forever.

God save our Queen and heaven bless,

I understand history is offensive

 

[JLB50]

Lyrics can be changed. I believe Heart of Oak went through numerous changes over the centuries…it was composed in, I believe, the 1750s. O Canada’s lyrics changed not too many years ago. Our naval traditions derive from both the British and, to a lesser extent, the French. If it were up to me I would keep Heart of Oak but change the lyrics to basically Canadianize them. Mind you, that’s not going to happen because I’m of the belief that a powerful and vocal minority out there wants to destabilize our traditions and totally disconnect us from our roots.