"The Bold Canadian" was a patriotic song for Canadians that originated during the War of 1812. It celebrated the conquering of Detroit in Michigan Territory.

History

It is believed that "The Bold Canadian" was written by a private from the Third York Militia's First Flank Company named Cornelius Flummerfelt, who wrote the lines while marching in the Detroit campaign, or on the way back to York, Upper Canada. The song was used to further increase the numbers of Canadian militia to fight during the war. Although composed in late 1812, the first publication of the song was not until 1907, when the Niagara Historical Society printed part of the song in a pamphlet about Isaac Brock. Until 1907, the song was passed down in oral traditions; therefore, different versions of the song came to be. Full versions of the song were not published until 1927 when the Ontario Historical Society published two different versions of the song. In 1960, a third version was published; all three varied, with different stanzas and order of stanzas. Although unpublished, the song remained popular in Canada throughout the nineteenth century, while a comparable American song, "The Hunters of Kentucky", lost its popularity by the end of the Jacksonian Era.

Lyrics

Alternative lyrics

Source "Come all ye bold Canadians, I'd have you lend an ear Unto a short ditty Which will your spirits cheer, Concerning an engagement We had at Detroit town, The pride of those Yankee boys So bravely we took down. The Yankees did invade us, To kill and to destroy, And to distress our country, Our peace for to annoy, Our countrymen were filled With sorrow, grief and woe, To think that they should fall By such an unnatural foe. Come all ye bold Canadians, Enlisted in the cause, To defend your country, And to maintain your laws; Being all united, This is the song we'll sing: Success onto Great Britain And God save the King."

Geoff Berner's "Come All Ye Bold Canadians (Song of the War of 1812)" lyrics

In 2011 Canadian folk-singer Geoff Berner recorded, "Come All Ye Bold Canadians (Song of the War of 1812)," as part of Henry Adam Svec's recording project. "The perfidious rebels snuck across our border by the score. They raped the nuns on tables, threw the babies to the floor. (What cads!) But invincible General Brock was ready when he heard the call. He drove them back and now we'll chase them over hedge and wall. So come all ye bold Canadians and gird your trusty might. We'll make the American libertines regret they picked a fight. For order and good government we'll fight for what is right. Come all ye bold Canadians and gird your trusty might. Around the world Canadians are feared as soldiers bold. Loyal and obedient, we'll kill and die when told. (Yes sir!) Liberty is not for me, I know my rightful place. Upon my knees before our king, who God enthroned with grace. So come all ye bold Canadians and gird your trusty might. We'll make the American libertines regret they picked a fight. For order and good government we'll fight for what is right. Come all ye bold Canadians and gird your trusty might. No matter where they run and hide we'll chase them down like dogs. We'll burn the hated White House down with kerosene and logs. (Chop the logs!) A godless slave of liberty deserves just what he gets. Their livestock and their unborn brats will feel our bayonets. So come all ye bold Canadians and gird your trusty might. We'll make the American libertines regret they picked a fight. For order and good government we'll fight for what is right. Come all ye bold Canadians and gird your trusty might."