Canadian-American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright took the field at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday to perform the Canadian national anthem, O Canada, ahead of Game 5 of the World Series. And it didn't take long for fans to notice a subtle lyric change.

The Grammy-nominated Toronto singer-songwriter was tapped to sing the Canadian national anthem Monday night at Dodgers Stadium. But his pitchy performance was immediately panned on social media with viewers at home trashing his voice and his decision to change some of the lyrics to the 145-year-old anthem.

Wainwright changed the lyrics of Canada’s national anthem — which begins “O Canada/ Our home and native land/ True patriot love in all of us command” — from “in all of us command,” to “that only us command” before Wednesday’s Game 5 of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Canadian icon Rufus Wainwright made a subtle change to 'O Canada' at Game 5 of the World Series, which didn't sit right with everybody at home

The twist came off as a protest to Trump's 51st state comments, similar to a change Chantal Kreviazuk made to the anthem in February 2025.

In defense of Rufus Wainwright, a Canadian-American who was tasked with signing the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium prior to Game 5 of the World Series...mist

Schitt's Creek star Noah Reid delivered his rendition of "O Canada" before Game 7 of the 2025 World Series in Toronto on Saturday night. Reid's version of "O Canada" followed recent trend of changing the lyrics to the nation's national anthem in apparent political protest to President Donald Trump.

The Grammy-nominated musician sang the Canadian national anthem at Game 3 of the World Series, to some derision from fans online.