A Voice That Carried The Pride Of A Nation

Paul Lorieau says farewell

Lorieau made me stand, gave me chills, made me feel bigger than I was, included me in something powerful, and never failed to honour Canada

— Arch (@Archaeologuy) July 3, 2013

I never met Paul Lorieau and I never will. I only know him as the man who sang for me our National Anthem at hockey games. I’ve heard so many kind words about the man speaking to the human being that he was and I feel for those who knew him best.

Despite the obvious power of his voice he did not make the Anthem about him. He was not there to make a mockery of tradition by doing his best American Idol impression. He sang those words the way they were intended for the reasons that were intended.

His voice carried the pride of a nation in 2006 before he passed the load back onto our shoulders and raised the Mic up to the air.

I will never forget.