A Ballad- Canada and Multiculturalism

I have a friend who speaks a language
I don’t understand
He dances to a different rhythm
From a far off land
His clothes and garments are uncommon
He stands out in my crowd
But we communicate with gestures
A common ground allowed

My country is his country now
The bloodshed left behind
I have imagined what his life was like
It’s impossible to mind
The iniquities, the loss, the war
in the place where he was born
we must accommodate my friend in need
with hope and fair accord


There’s no reason to be fearful
of what we do not know
we are able to learn new songs
and make the music flow
There’s a multi- layered symphony
Lines of empathy and trust
A society can be a rainbow
That’s true, complete and just


My friend and I are living free
I am me and he is he
We recognize the treasures
Of life with diversity
And celebrate the differences
And live with dignity
Our story defines freedom
Our song is harmony