Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk briefly forgot some lines during her performance and altered the words of O Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday night, in a protest against President Donald Trump’s remarks about making Canada the fifty-first state.
Kreviazuk stumbled over part of the anthem, missing a few words before recovering.
Publicist Adam Gonshor, in an email to The Associated Press, confirmed that Kreviazuk deliberately switched the modern lyric “in all of us command” to “that only us command” because of Trump’s repeated comments.
The performance came just before Canada’s 3-2 overtime victory.
Kreviazuk, who was raised in Winnipeg, said she felt compelled to speak out against what she calls threats to Canadian sovereignty.
“I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to defend itself against tyranny and fascism,” said Kreviazuk.
“I’m somebody who grew up on music that spoke to the heart and the moment, and it shaped me as a songwriter and really as a human being. I don’t think it would be authentic to me to be given a world stage and not express myself.”
Kreviazuk also wrote the altered lyrics on her left hand in mascara and shared a photo of it on Instagram.
“I just put it on there so if I ever had a moment and I kind of froze, I would be able to look at my hand and see it,” said Kreviazuk.
“I’d love to see people sort of get inspired and catch the fire and say their heart more in their art. Sometimes you just got to speak the truth in your art and it’s awesome. That’s what it should be about.”
Fans in Boston greeted her changes with mild boos.
However, the reaction quickly died down as she continued to sing.
Meanwhile, crowds in Montreal had booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at games earlier in the week.
Trump’s comments suggesting Canada become the fifty-first state, tied to a trade dispute, have heightened tensions between the neighbouring countries.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has dismissed the suggestion as impossible.
David McGuinty, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, told reporters Thursday that Trump’s remarks are not being taken seriously.
“Sounds like President Trump is worried about the outcome of the hockey game,” said McGuinty.
“Canada is a sovereign and independent country. It has been for over 150 years and will remain so. This discussion of fifty-first state is a non-starter.”
Trump phoned the U.S. team on Thursday morning to wish them luck, a move players called an honour.
“Hopefully, we can get the win tonight for our country and for Trump,” said defenceman Noah Hanifin before the game.
The NHL declined to comment on Kreviazuk’s anthem change, which mixed national pride, political protest, and forgetting the lyrics, making for a memorable pre-game performance.