I don't agree with the criticism levelled by your letter writers at the young and talented Nikki Yanofsky, who jazzed up the stodgy and repetitive anthem that simply does not do justice to the complexity of what we now call Canada (O Canada, Oh Canada - Feb. 14, and So The Whole World Can Hear - Feb. 15). Besides, the Olympic opening ceremonies were replete with idealized descriptions of our nation and our history.
If you really want to sing along to our national anthem with glowing hearts, then wait for the medal ceremonies, where the achievements of our athletes will revive it musically. I suspect that k.d. lang would perform a very different O Canada than, say, Ashley MacIsaac, Anne Murray, Leonard Cohen or Measha Brueggergosman.
Besides, compared with aboriginal songs about this land, O Canada was a late comer on the scene. There are many francophone takes on how to describe our nation, including " mon pays, ce n'est pas un pays, c'est l'hiver." Who can argue with that?
No need, then, for anthem chill; may there be plenty more versions to come.