Hockey fans from both Canada and the United States have taken aim at national anthem singer Chantal Kreviazuk after her decision to change the lyrics to ‘O Canada’ in a swipe at President Donald Trump.
Kreviazuk was given the honor of singing the Canadian anthem in Boston ahead of the highly-anticipated 4 Nations Face-Off final between the US and Canada, which the visitors went on to win in overtime.
Many of the headlines were made before the puck had even dropped, though, when singer opted to change the line ‘in all of us command’ to ‘that only us command,’ suggesting that Trump had better stay out of relations between the countries.
A representative for the singer later told the CBC that it was a deliberate switch in response to Trump, and Kreviazuk herself then took to Instagram insisting that ‘we must stand up and use our voices’.
Fans from both sides of the border then voiced their displeasure at her decision, blasting the ‘disrespectful’ and ’embarrassing’ lyric change.
One Canadian hockey fan insisted: ‘Changing the lyrics of the Canadian national anthem for a personal political statement is a blatant disregard for those who fought and sacrificed their lives for our country.
Fans quickly took to the comments section of Chantal Kreviazuk’s Instagram post on Thursday
The Canadians ultimately got the best of the Americans during the 4 Nations Face Off final
‘This is not just your song—it belongs to all of us. It is not yours to change. Doing so on such a massive platform was an embarrassment to our nation.’
Another Canadian added: ‘This is not your song….its OUR song. What the hell were you thinking? And off pitch…..? Cringeworthy performance.’
A third wrote: ‘The national anthem is our song, not one written by you, nor do you have free rein to make changes in the name of your art. You should be ashamed. There was no patriotism, only your ego.’
American fans – perhaps unsurprisingly – were also quick to dive into the comments section on her Instagram page, with one claiming: ‘That was single handedly the WORST rendition I have EVER heard.’
Others, meanwhile, did back Kreviazuk and even claimed they had ‘goosebumps’ watching her performance.
One wrote: ‘I felt immense pride listening to your rendition! A true statement! Subtle changes to certain lines and an emphasis on the word FREE! It was amazing!’
Kreviazuk changed the lyrics to swipe at Trump amid Canada’s feud with the US president
Provocative rhetoric from President Trump has strained the relationship between the countries
Kreviazuk sang the words ‘that only us command’ – rather than ‘in all of us command’
Trump has recently threatened an additional 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, which could go into effect on March 4 after his executive order on February 1.
He’s also poked at Canada by calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ‘governor.’
It’s not surprising, then, that ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ was booed by Canadian fans when it was performed in Montreal last weekend, when the USA and Canada faced off during the round robin phase of the tournament.
The Americans returned the favor on Thursday as they booed ‘O Canada’ in Boston.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .