Newfoundland is Britain's oldest colony. It was claimed for England by John Cabot in 1497. In 1583 Sir Humphrey Gilbert  officially claimed it as a colony of England.

Circa 1620 French fishermen settled Newfoundland, near the present day community of La Scie. Other fishing settlements and communities followed, culminating in 1662 with  the establishment of Plaisance as the French capital of Newfoundland. The French withdrew from Newfoundland in 1713.

From 1583 until 1949 Newfoundland would maintain it's seperate political identity from the American colonies, the maritime colonies and Canada.

In 1729 a Governor was dispatched from England to Newfoundland. In 1803 Governor Vice Admiral Gambier recommended self government for the colony. In 1832 Newfoundland was granted representitive government. In 1855 Newfoundland gained self government.

In 1867 the people of Newfoundland voted against Confederation with Canada. Newfoundland would remain a seperate political entity for a further four generations.

In 1931 Newfoundland became a Dominion, of equal status within the British Empire as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. Unfortunatly, the Great Depression hit the Newfoundland economy hard. Economic instability led to political crisis. In 1934 Newfoundland reverted to the status of a crown colony. A Commission to govern the Colony was appointed. Newfoundland became a Province of Canada in 1949.

Newfoundland and Labradorians can look at a  heritage celebrated in folksongs, hymns and anthems. We invite you to listen to our musical heritage.

The Canadian  National Anthem - "O Canada"

MIDI (piano rendition)

see www.ocanada.net/an.html - MID,Wav Files, and Text

 see www.scottstjohn.com/ocan.htm for score and text

see www.stemnet.nf.ca/Curriculum/Drama/provcan.htm for MIDI file and Patriotic Graphic

Newfoundland's Provincial Anthem - "Ode to Newfoundland". Written in 1903 by Sir Cavendish Boyle.

MIDI (piano rendition)

see The Provincial Anthem Act for score and text.

Anti-Confederation Song. This anonymous song was written in 1869.

Hurrah for our own native isle, Newfoundland, Not a stranger shall hold one inch of her strand,

Her face turns to Britain, her back to the Gulf, Come near at your peril, Canadian wolf.

Cheap tea and molasses, they say they will give,
all taxes take off that the poor they may live,
cheap nails and cheap lumber our coffins to make,
and hopespun to mend our old clothes when they break.

If they take off the taxes how then will they meet,
the heavy expense on the country's upkeep?
Just give then the chance to get us in a scrape,
and they'll chain you as slaves with pen, ink, and red tape.

Would you barter the right that your fathers have won,
Your freedom transmitted from father to son?
For a few thousand dollars of Canadian gold,
don't let it be said that your birthright was sold.

MIDI (Piano rendition)

The pink the rose of England shows, the green St. Patrick's emblem bright,
while in between the spotless sheen of Andrew's cross displays the white.
Then hail the pink, the white, the green, our patriot flag long may it stand.
Our sirelands twine their emblems trine to the form the flag of Newfoundland.

(chorus) Fling out the flag o'er creek and crag.
Pink, white, and green, so fair, so grand.
Long may it sway o'er bight and bay
around the shores of Newfoundland.

What e'er betide our ocean bride that nestles midst Atlantic's foam
Still far and wide we'll raise our pride, our native flag o'er hearth and home.
Should e'er the hand of Fate demand, some future change in our career,
we ne'er will yield on flood or field the flag we honour and revere.

Come all ye good people and listen
To what I have come here to say;
It's concerning a band of vile traitors
That live at the head of our bay.
Their names for some time I'll not mention,
I'll apprehend them by and by.
Their leader he was a blind piper,
By the parson's game-cock lost an eye.

The day that the poll-booth was opened,
The "Antis" and "Cons" they were there.
The flag of cursed Confederation
Was gallantly marched to the rear.
Keough struck Newell, the bearer,
And he trampled the 'rag' to the ground;
Mavourneen he struck Neddy Humby
And frightened the Abbots and Brown.

Then out came that chap of the Brennan's.
A son to the leader in strife;
He took an oak stave in the morning
And he swore he would have "Antis" life.
He was soon perceived by those heroes,
Descendants of old Granu-Aile,
Who tumbled him into a mud pool
And followed clan Brennan's on trail.

Then next was the great Patagonian,
Both matchless in manner and size;
He first talked in favour of "Antis",
Then joined the confederate side.
The gang got a full tub of "soldiers"
And pelted him down to his door.
His mother did not recognize him
'Til she washed him a dozen times o'er!

Oh, boys, if you saw the fair Jenny
I'm sure you would pity her case;
And if she was handy to Ridley
He might sympathize with her grace.
Poor thing, she is half broken-hearted
Since the "Antis" have now gained their day,
Short shoes and long corns may attend her -
Is the wish of all Bonavist' Bay.

And now to conclude and to finish,
I hope a good lesson we've tought;
And the Touters sent here from the city
Have been told that Plate Cove can't be bought.
Our fathers came here to find freedom,
Their sons will not trade it away;
Then hurrah! for the "Antis" of Plate Cove,
The "Fortress of Bonavist' Bay"!

TERRA  NOVA GREENS

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