The King Will Be Proud of Canada
THE KING WILL BE PROUD OF CANADA
AKA: WILL THE KING BE PROUD OF CANADA?
S.G. Smith & Frank Eborall
Hear the bugle call, see Canada Stand,
And salute the King and Motherland.
We’ll respond and with the Union Jack,
We will go to the front, but we’ll come back,
With honors that heroes alone shall bring,
We’ll win the battle for Britain’s King.
REFRAIN
Hear the tramp of Canada’s eager feet,
We will never learn the word retreat.
We will fight, for we are not afraid,
We are British soldiers Canada made,
And the King will be proud of Canada.
There has much been told since Canada’s birth,
Of the things achieved that have proved of worth,
And the King has heard and proudly smiled,
Saying, “Canada is Britain’s child,”
We’ll go then to battle with warriors’ zest,
‘Tis but our duty to do our best.
the king will be proud.mp3CHANGING THE TITLE
Between 1914 and 1918, over 600,000 Canadian men and women answered the “king’s call” (George V) to serve the “mother-land” (England). This, combined with Canada’s significant contributions to the war effort in the form of food, ammunition, and machines, led composers Smith and Eborall to change the title of the song (Will the King Be Proud of Canada?) from a question to a confident statement.
Many songs like “The King will be proud of Canada” were propaganda pieces that were meant to instill a sense of patriotism and duty to one’s country and its leaders. This song also plays into the concept that one’s manhood is proven through military service and that soldiers should bravely and courageously go into battle.
Many recruitment songs tried to instill romantic notions of war. Of course, the experience on the front lines was completely different.
Postage stamps featuring a portrait of King George V, 1922. Museum of Dufferin Education Collection.
KING GEORGE V
The King referenced in this song is George V, the King of the United Kingdom and its Dominions between 1910 and 1936. Through his grandmother, Queen Victoria, he was related to many of the royal families of Europe. Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany was his first cousin. By August of 1914, the cousins were officially at war against each other.
As a direct result of war with Germany and anti-German sentiment, Britain’s royal family dropped their German title (the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) and became known as the House of Windsor.
During the war, the King made efforts to visit the front lines and military hospitals to bolster morale. During one visit, he was injured by a horse, fracturing his pelvis.
After the war, George V granted powers of self-governance to Dominion states such as Canada.
THE MAPLE LEAF FOREVER
The maple leaf and the beaver became official emblems of Canada in 1975 under the National Symbol Act of Canada. However, their history and use as unofficial emblems dates back long before the act was passed.
Due to its significance in the development and growth of Canada as a colony during the fur trade, the beaver was adopted as an important symbol. Beavers are regarded for their industry, skill, and perseverance -- qualities that the military desired in its soldiers.
In the 19th Century (1800s), the maple leaf emerged as the dominant symbol of Canada. It was adopted into the military when the 100th (Prince of Wale’s Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot was presented with its colours in 1859. It was soon adopted into the regimental flags and badges of many military units.
In 1867, Alexander Muir composed the “Maple Leaf Forever”, which was sung as Canada’s unofficial national anthem or hymn. Thus, by the onset of WWI, there was no question that the maple leaf would be the emblem of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).
The badge of the 164th Battalion
(Dufferin County’s local recruitment battalion) featured both the beaver and maple leaf. Also note the crown on top. The 164th tried to recruit between 140 and 150 men at a time.