k.d. loves Canada: k.d. lang talks about fame, gay marriage, and her latest album, a valentine to her home country.

While renowned for her stunning voice and awesome stage presence, Canadian-born singer k.d. lang has also become famous for speaking out on social issues, from gay and lesbian fights to vegetarianism.

We can now add war and peace to that list, given lang's loud denunciations of the Bush administration and its war in Iraq. Her latest album, Hymns of the 49th Parallel (Warner Bros.), is a collection of lang's favorite Canadian songs, inspired in part by her native country's decision to sit out the Iraq war despite the Bush administration's displeasure, Lang says the tribute album is "something I've been wanting to do for a long time." She's selected an intriguing range of songs from varied Canadian artists, including Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush," Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You," Leonard Cohen's "Bird on a Wire," and Jane Siberry's "The Valley." The Advocate caught up with lang at her Los Angeles home.

This album seems a very different direction, considering your last one with Tony Bennett.

Coming off the record that I did with Tony, which was a trip into the American songbook, I started to think about the Canadian songbook--and how a Canadian singer hasn't really cultivated it yet. It's pretty

rich and vast. I call it Hymns of the 49th Parallel because it's basically songs that are spiritually part of my foundation. I just wanted to sing them as hymns--not to try to make them different or try to reinvent them or make them something that they weren't, but just sing them the way I learned them. The songs are some of the greatest ever, so they were pretty easy. I've always wanted to record "The Valley." It's been one of my favorite songs ever since I first heard it.

You've spent a lot of time away.

I miss Canada, but my life right now, it's just more conducive to live in L.A. One of the things that spawned this album was [former Canadian prime minister Jean] Chretien's refusal to get involved with this ludicrous [Iraq] war. I'm really proud of the stances Canada has been taking on so many issues these days. I feel like Canada is really craning into its own, in a cultural sense. It's a really beautiful thing to watch.

And yet one of those moves has been legal recognition of same-sex marriages, something you told The Advocate a couple of years ago you weren't sure was such a great idea.

Of course I agree we should all have rights. If someone wants to get married, they should be able to. But there should be a clear separation between church and state. Where people take their vows should be absolutely private. In terms of marriage and the way the Bible defines marriage, I don't necessarily feel that it's in the gay mid lesbian culture's best interest to try to model themselves after a straight institution.

What's the biggest thing you've had to adapt tn in terms of becoming so famous?

I think one of the greatest assets I had is that I grew up in a small town. Fame is exactly the same thing as growing up in a small town: Your life is an open book when you grow up in a small place. Eccentricities are normal. Everyone knows your business. It gave me a very good training for being famous, for being so exposed.

What's the biggest difference you notice when you cross the 49th parallel, the Canada-U.S. border?

There's definitely a difference, but I'm Canadian, so I notice that sort of thing. What I hear mostly is a more relaxed, more friendly vibe in Canada. I think there's less paranoia and fear. I don't know if that's me coming home and understanding the culture better, but that's the way I feel.

If you had any advice for the new Canadian prime minister, Paul Martin, what would it be?

I like the words of the new Spanish leader, who urges a more peaceful, compassionate view. It's a global responsibility, not just a national one.

And what would yon tell President Bush?

Leave. Go play cowboy.

Hays is associate editor at the Montreal Mirror.