Newfoundland music

Sticking to the music theme, I will use this post to introduce some popular Newfoundland songs. I have compiled a short YouTube playlist of 14 songs which I hope will give you a taste of the music here, and for those who have time, many of these videos also come with great visuals; footage and photographs of the province.





Of this playlist, number 1, 2, and 5 are worth mentioning. Number one is titled "Salt Water Joys", and number two "Grey Foggy Days" are probably the two song which most Newfies speak of when asked for a hallmark Newfoundland song. Number five is Newfoundland's official provincial anthem- the "Ode to Newfoundland". "Salt Water Joys" is written by Wayne Chaulk and is a song celebrating Newfoundland-the beauty of the land, the pride and heritage, the simple way of life, the sense of intimacy and community-invoking the spirit of home. "Grey Foggy Day" is written by Eddie Coffey makes references to fishing, working long periods away from home and returning home to loved ones. These songs fall into the genre of folk and country. The guitar, fiddle and accordion are common instruments in this style.    
Here are the lyrics to the Ode of Newfoundland. (#5 on the music playlist.) 
Ode of Newfoundland

The flag of former Republic of Newfoundland.

The provincial flag of Newfoundland since joining Canada.

The Ode to Newfoundland; however is neither folk nor country, but has a more processional feel to it, as it was composed as an anthem back in 1902 for Newfoundland when it was a still a self-governing dominion of Britain. And now for a brief history interlude. Did you know that Newfoundland did not join Canada until 1949, making it the last of the current provinces to join? Prior to 1949, the last time that a province joined the confederation was before the two world wars in 1905 - Alberta and Saskatchewan- finally uniting the East of Canada with its western confederate state, British Colombia. Most of the confederation activity took place in a five year period between 1867 to 1973. After than initial period, there was a significant time gap (25 years) before more states joined Canada. Yukon joined 25 years after the last of the activity in 1973, and seven years later, Alberta and Saskatchewan would finally join. It was another 44 years before Newfoundland joined Canada. Could this prolonged "independence" for a lack of better word and its relatively recent union with Canada be some of the factors which explain Newfoundland's current strong exhibition of culture and identity?


By: Governor Sir Cavendish Boyle

When sun rays crown thy pine clad hills,
And summer spreads her hand,
When silvern voices tune thy rills,
We love thee, smiling land.
We love thee, we love thee,
We love thee, smiling land.

When spreads thy cloak of shimmering white,
At winter's stern command,
Thro' shortened day, and starlit night,
We love thee, frozen land.
We love thee, we love thee
We love thee, frozen land.

When blinding storm gusts fret thy shore,
And wild waves lash thy strand,
Thro' spindrift swirl, and tempest roar,
We love thee windswept land.
We love thee, we love thee
We love thee windswept land.

As loved our fathers, so we love,
Where once they stood, we stand;
Their prayer we raise to Heaven above,
God guard thee, Newfoundland
God guard thee, God guard thee,
God guard thee, Newfoundland.