The Native Society was formed in the year 1840. The first
native flag had a pink background, with two clasped hands extending to
the elbows, and a spruce tree in the centre. The tree rose from the joined
palms, and underneath, running parallel to the arc made by the arms was
the word "Philanthropy." The arms and the tree were green and the letters
were white.
The Native Society Flag A great deal of ill feeling was
engendered by the society until February, 1843. During a big haul of wood
for Bishop Fleming, a fight broke out between the "Bush Borns" and the
"Old Country," as to who had the biggest haul of wood. The bishop called
the ringleaders together and advised them to stop fighting and join the
"Pink and Green" together. This they did, by inserting a piece of neutral
white between, and the native flag was born.
The Native Flag - 1843 Pink, White, and Green
The pink the Rose of England shows, The green St. Patrick's emblem bright,
While in betweeen the spotless sheen St. Andrew's Cross displays the white
Then hail the pink, the white, the green; Our patriot ring long may it
stand, Our sire lands twine their emblem trine To form the flag of Newfoundland
What e'er betide our ocean bride That nestles midst the atlantic foam,
Still far and wide we'll raise with 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.
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.