“Canada’s Song,” Alan Frew’s latest Glass Tiger release, celebrates a country whose values aren’t negotiable and whose heart isn’t for sale.
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“Canada’s Song (Free to Be)” – Glass Tiger
Alan Frew is no stranger to writing love songs, but his latest release is a heartfelt anthem to his “home and native land.”
On “Canada’s Song,” Frew sets aside romantic balladry to offer an emotional tribute to the country that embraced him as a young immigrant and shaped his identity as a musician and a man. The song, filled with gratitude and gentle patriotism, reflects an admiration that runs deeper than flag-waving – it’s rooted in values, belonging and humble pride.
The track includes a subtle yet powerful nod to Canada’s progressive views on human rights:
Where you’re free to be a dreamer
Free to be who you are
Free to believe in your star
Free to go far.
“It’s a celebration,” Frew says. “When respected and honored, Canada is a friend, an ally, and a beacon of hope for the millions she holds in her embrace today – and for the millions yet to come.”
Frew moved from Coatbridge, Scotland to Ontario, Canada when he was a teenager. The accent still lingers – a warm, charming Scottish lilt softened by years in the Great White North – but his identity is unmistakably Canadian.
“Canada is not a coin to be placed into a slot machine, nor a card to be turned over on a gambling table,” he adds. “Canada is not something to be politicized, bartered for, nor sold. I trust you will enjoy and embrace this simple song. A song and a tale that chooses no sides in the elitist political arena. It comes to you as a celebration of Canada’s beauty and as a call to action, encouraging you to cherish and protect the freedoms we enjoy today.”
From the isle of Vancouver
To the Labrador Sea
One nation that lives strong and free
Where I’m free to be me
From the songs of the prairies
To the call of the ponds
Hero’s of times come and gone
But the memories go
On and on and on
Oh this is Canada’s Song
Oh where my heart belongs
Canada has indeed been good to Frew.
Before he traded his hospital scrubs as a registered nurse for a microphone and a tour bus, he made the leap of faith to pursue music – a leap that landed him squarely in Canadian rock history as the frontman of pop/rock icons Glass Tiger.
Alongside original members Sam Reid (keyboards) and Al Connelly (guitar), Frew helped launch the band to stardom with their 1985 debut “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)”, which featured guest vocals by fellow Canuck Bryan Adams. The song became an instant classic, earning international acclaim and solidifying Glass Tiger as one of Canada’s most successful bands.
Where you’re free to be a dreamer
Free to be who you are
Free to believe in your star
Free to go far
Oh this is Canada’s Song
Oh where my heart belongs
Oh Where we’re free to be
Oh we’re strong and free
Free to be
Oh free to be a dreamer
Free to be who you are
Over the decades, Frew has collected hits and accolades like trading cards. He and the band were recently inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, a milestone that marks not just their longevity, but their impact on the cultural landscape.
Their career has taken them around the world, opening for Tina Turner on her 1987 “Break Every Rule” European tour, collaborating with Rod Stewart, Julian Lennon, Mickey Dolenz, and the Chieftains – all while proudly carrying Canada’s message of friendship and freedom abroad.
“I’ve performed in almost every nook and cranny of the U.S.,” he says. “I’ve broken bread in war zones, sharing fellowship with the brave men and women of our militaries – fighting to defend the freedoms we so often take for granted.”
“Canada’s Song” may be simple in structure, but it carries a deeply resonant message.
It’s not the first time Frew and Glass Tiger have paired music with meaning. The title track of their sophomore album “Diamond Sun” pays tribute to the spiritual roots of Canada’s Indigenous people, honoring their history, resilience and sacred connection to the land.
But this one feels different. More personal.
“It’s not about sides or slogans,” Frew says. “It’s about unity. About remembering what’s beautiful and fragile about this country, and the role we each play in protecting it.”
Oh this is Canada’s song
Oh where my heart belongs
Oh we’re free to be
Oh we’re strong and free
Oh this is Canada’s song
Oh where I’m free to be
Strong and Free
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“Canada’s Song (Free to Be)” – Glass Tiger
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