SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — The Man from Newfoundland

Honourable senators, today I’m pleased to present Chapter 94 of “Telling our Story.”

Newfoundland and Labrador recitations are a distinct form of oral poetry and part of the province’s rich storytelling tradition. For those of us who missed out when God was distributing musical talents, having the ability to recite a story or poem gave you an opportunity to participate, whether the party was around the kitchen table or out in the shed.

Recitations are often performed by storytellers and shed light on the province’s unique heritage, culture and way of life. They can cover a wide range of topics, from humorous tales about everyday life to more serious and tragic stories that preserve local history and tradition.

Thousands of recitations exist, but with my allotted time here today, I can bring forward only one, so I chose “The Man from Newfoundland,” written by George Hoskins.

You will know him when you meet him,

He’s different from the rest.

He hails from Terra Nova,

And he’s better than the best.

He’s a downright Newfoundlander,

A man of many parts.

He can spin a long and salty yarn

or talk about the arts.

With the chainsaw, he’s a wizard,

He can walk a rolling log.

He can make his way to his own stagehead through the thickest pea soup fog,

And he likes to sit and smoke his pipe and drink his glass of grog.

Sometimes he goes a roaming in places faraway,

You can hear him sing with a little lilting ring,

“The Star of Logy Bay.”

Now maybe he comes from Ireland’s Eye or maybe Joe Batt’s Arm.

It matters not, he will greet you with a handshake firm

and warm and treat you as a long-lost friend with rare, delightful charm.

His forebearers came from England or across the Irish Sea.

Like them he loves his island home,

Where the winds blow strong and free,

And the strangers stand spellbound and thrilled

by the unmatched scenery.

Now when it comes to politics,

He’ll let you understand.

He accepts Confederation, but he is still for Newfoundland.

He is touchy on this subject

And you will find him hard to sway.

He’s blunt and always speaks his mind in a plain, straightforward way

Be he a city man or a Bayman,

From north, south, east or west.

His views on mainland ways are dim,

the good ole times were best.

He speaks the King’s language

In a casual sort of way,

And sometimes quite inadvertently

His H’s go astray.

And if he drops them, you can safely bet,

He comes from English stock,

A man you can depend upon,

As solid as a rock.

But if you want a different accent,

Come up the Southern Shore,

Where people speak the richest brogue,

And they are Irish to the core.

He may be of the rugged type,

And fished the banks for cod.

He may occupy the pulpit,

And preach the word of God.

But whatever his vocation,

Be it low or be it high.

He’s just an average Newfoundlander

And a pretty decent guy!

Thank you.