On extraordinary news occasions , the show may also broadcast alternate opening and closing theme music more reflective of a major news story , or may entirely skip opening theme music . For example , on the December 5 , 2013 episode marking the death of Nelson Mandela , the show opened and closed with Ladysmith Black Mambazo 's recording of " Nkosi Sikelel ' iAfrika " ; on the October 22 , 2014 episode covering the Parliament Hill shootings , the show opened with a montage of audio clips of the day 's events , entirely skipping theme music ; and on the November 11 , 2016 episode following the death of Canadian musical and literary icon Leonard Cohen , the show opened with Cohen 's " Bird on the Wire "
Parliament Hill shootings
2014 shootings at Parliament Hill, Ottawa
As It Happens