Popular Songs/Newfoundland Songs
You Can't Tell a Newfie a Thing He Should Do
A song about a famous symbol of Newfoundland - the Newfoundland dog. This song features the use of an "Ugly Stick", a traditional Newfoundland percussion instrument.
Click here to watch the video.
Click here to watch the updated "Sea Shanty" version.
Click here to see the lyrics.
Click here for a lyrics and chords version in C.
Click here for a Chordpro version in C.
Click here for a lyrics and chords version in D.
Click here to see a sample or to purchase the lead sheet in C through Sheet Music Plus.
Click here to see a sample or to purchase the lead sheet in D through Sheet Music Plus.
Click here to see a sample or to purchase the accompaniment version in C through Sheet Music Plus.
Click here to see a sample or to purchase the accompaniment version in D through Sheet Music Plus.
Click here to listen to the song on Apple Music.
Click here to listen to the song on Spotify.
Words and Music by David Kai © 1990
No you can’t tell a Newfie a thing he should do, To sit or to stay or to come back to you
He’s hairy and slobbery, as strong as a horse, It’s the Newfoundland dog that I sing of, of course.
He’s the kind of a dog that will never be scared, For to serve and protect he was bred and prepared
And there’s many a swimmer whose life has been spared, By the Newfoundland dog, who’s like a lifeguard with hair.
But you can’t tell a Newfie a thing he should do, To sit or to stay or to come back to you
He’s hairy and slobbery, as strong as a horse, It’s the Newfoundland dog that I sing of, of course.
You can hook up a Newfie to a cart or a sleigh, It will bear all your burdens, not tiring all day
It can carry a line from a boat to the land, To rescue the perishing, saving all hands
But you can’t tell a Newfie a thing it should do, To sit or to stay or to come back to you
It’s hairy and slobbery, as strong as a horse, It’s the Newfoundland dog that I sing of, of course.
She is strong but so gentle, a real teddy bear, But there won’t be a place where you won’t find her hair
She will care for the children, watch them just like a Mum, And keep them in safety ‘til labours are done
But you can’t tell a Newfie a thing she should do, To sit or to stay or to come back to you
She’s hairy and slobbery, as strong as a horse, It’s the Newfoundland dog that I sing of, of course
It’s the Newfoundland dog that I sing of, of course.
