When a Mainlander thinks of Newfoundland the general imagery is likely that of ruggedly beautiful landscapes, mutilated harp seals, or cheery yet slightly rakish men with incomprehensible accents. Or Rick Mercer maybe, I don’t know. The point is, despite it’s brief mention in ninth grade Canadian history, most people tend to forget that Newfoundland was a self-governing Dominion that did not enter Confederation until 1949.
Indeed, both before and after the narrow vote that saw the island inducted as Canada’s 10th province, Newfoundlanders have taken a page from their Irish forebears’ book and penned many a protest song that gravitate between tongue-in-cheek, mournful, or outright threatening. Depending on the current political client and on what St. John’s pub you may find yourself in, a visitor might avoid making their Toronto accents overly audible if the band belts out one of these (doubly so if you’re a fucking frenchman):
*Note: As a Newfoundlander, I reserve the right to make fun of both these songs and my long-suffering countrymen, lest Brent Butt do it first, or something.
The Anti Confederation Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmEH1LUV3nE
The oldest and most well known of the bunch, this ditty began appearing as early as 1869. Not only does it openly threaten any dastardly Canadian that might dare stake claim on Terra Nova, it also holds a dire warning that the cheap tea and molasses promised by the bloodsuckers in Ottawa are stakes straight through your ancestors’ hearts.
The Navigators – The Islander
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lids-ex8uqg
A personal favourite of mine, The Navigator’s ‘The Islander’ sounds like a war chant, tells New York to go to hell, explicitly challenges the martial prowess of our Quebecois nemeses (who have the audacity to include Labrador in the map of Quebec printed on the paper placemats at La Belle Province), and warns that Newfoundland’s newfound (heh) status as an oil-rich province must be carefully managed so as to avoid over-dependence on a non-renewable resources… ok, that’s not especially rousing but at least we’ll finally be able to tell Alberta to suck it.
Tarahan – Rebel Ship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46IJVObyOEc
So far this has all been in good fun, but it begs the question: is there a Newfoundland equivalent of the FLQ? The Newfoundland Republican Army, perhaps? Well, according to a slightly deranged young man that I somehow found myself drinking with one heroically drug-addled evening in St. John’s, the answer is yes, and they are dedicated, mobilized, and heavily armed. Then again he also claimed that he was a CIA agent, a psychic assassin, and a vampire slayer and was wearing a Nintendo Power hoodie. In any case, enjoy this number by Tarahan, easily among the most angry and vitriolic songs of the genre, seemingly promoting a legitimate rebellion against our cruel, snide, and exploitative Canadian overlords.
Fergus O’Byrne – The Antis of Plate Cove
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atoLRh-wjaE
Don’t forget that there were plenty of Newfoundlanders supportive of confederation with Canada, colorfully described in this song as “vile traitors.” This is a particularly bizarre example of the genre, which basically describes a village-wide Sharks vs Jets style brawl between the ‘Pros’ and the ‘Antis’ (although probably with more blunt objects and less timeless choreography).
- Puddle Of Mudd — Songs In The Key Of Love & Hate Vol. 4
- U2 Helped By Newfoundland Songwriter
- Nas Blames Promoters For Newfoundland No-Show
- Nas Vs. Newfoundland
- C’Mon: Newfoundland Is “Bizarre, Amazing”
