Quartet sparks controversy for adding 'All Lives Matter' into Canadian national anthem before All Star Game

A Canadian singing quartet found itself creating a bit of controversy when they changed a lyric in our neighbor to the north's national anthem and held up a sign proclaiming “All Lives Matter” during its pregame performance at the 87th All-Star Game on Tuesday.

The Tenors, a group based in British Columbia, found themselves knee deep in mustard and maple syrup at Petco Park after their unexpected lyric change while singing “O Canada.”

Trying to make some sort of political statement, The Tenors chose to sing: “We’re all brothers and sisters. All lives matter to the great.” The normal lyric is “With glowing hearts we see thee rise. The True North strong and free.”

One member of the group chose the moment to hold up the sign during the middle portion of the anthem, which is often sung in French at sporting events.

“United We Stand” was written on the back of the sign.

Correction: The Tenors altered O Canada lyrics in support of All Lives Matter. pic.twitter.com/Q0i6qqLB4Y

— Bill Cooney (@BillCooney) July 13, 2016

Although the audio wasn’t crystal-clear at the park, many fans reacted with surprise when they saw the sign on the ballpark video scoreboard. The Canadian anthem wasn’t shown live on U.S. television, but it aired in Canada, where the Tenors’ decisions lit up social media with overwhelming criticism of the change while managing to anger two countries at once.

Why The Tenors chose to re-write the Canadian national anthem is beyond me. I'm speechless. #ASG

— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) July 13, 2016

“All Lives Matter” has become a common online response in recent months to the “Black Lives Matter” movement but the phrase is widely perceived to some as a trivialization of the problems specifically facing the African-American community.

The award winning group, which includes Clifton Murray, Fraser Walters, Remigio Pereira and Victor Micallef, has recorded multiple platinum albums in Canada while performing around the world. It later issued an an apology saying Pereira acted as a "lone wolf" and would not be performing with them until further notice.

Pereira later took to Twitter to try and explain himself, saying things like "I've been so moved lately by the tragic loss of life and I hoped for a positive statement that would bring us ALL together. ONE LOVE." and "Once we awaken the love within, we will never be without. Peace be with us all. Remi."

And the unemployment cheques start arriving ... quand?