by Chloe, age 8, asks about a Polar Express song, the Mackenzie River, and two languages
Dear Santa,
Bonjour and hello from Montreal. My name is Chloe and I am 8 years old. It is very snowy here, which I think must make your job easier, and we speak both French and English at my school, which I am rather proud of. On Christmas Eve we have a big meal called reveillon after church and I am always allowed to stay up.
My questions are these. First, I love a song and I want to know the words: can you tell me the lyrics to When Christmas Comes to Town?
Second, a geography question: what is the longest river in Canada?
Third, a school question: why does Canada have two official languages?
I have left you tourtiere, which is a meat pie, and a cookie for balance.
Love, Chloe, age 8, Montreal, Canada
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Chloe, tourtiere and a cookie is exactly the balanced diet a hard-working Santa needs. Merci beaucoup. Now, to your thoughtful questions.
The song When Christmas Comes to Town
What a lovely choice. When Christmas Comes to Town is from the film The Polar Express, which came out in 2004, and it is sung by two of the children aboard the magical train. I am not able to write out the words for you here, because the song is protected by copyright and belongs to the talented people who wrote it, but I can tell you it is a gentle, hopeful song about seeing the world light up at Christmas and holding on to belief. You can hear the whole thing in the film, or on music services such as Spotify and Apple Music where the songwriters are properly credited. Then you may sing along to your heart content.
What is the longest river in Canada?
The longest river in Canada is the Mackenzie River, in the Northwest Territories, flowing north for about 1,738 kilometres, and much longer still if you count the whole river system that feeds it from its distant sources. It winds through forests and past frozen lands before emptying into the Arctic Ocean. In deep winter much of it freezes so solidly that it becomes a road.
Why does Canada have two official languages?
Canada has two official languages, English and French, because of its history. Long ago, both French and British settlers came to the land, and their languages, laws, and customs took root and stayed. Over time the country decided to honour both, and in 1969 it made English and French official together, so that Canadians could deal with their government in either one. That is why a clever girl like you gets to grow up speaking both, which is a gift all on its own.
Bundle up, enjoy the reveillon, and I shall see you when the snow is deep.
Ho ho ho, Santa
