VRBO ran a commercial with a Newfoundland classic song “I’se the b’y” during the Super Bowl yesterday and it has caused a lot of complaining on line, which is to be expected from us. Folks from here though it was a bit insensitive for various reasons, one being it wasn’t an ad for vacationing here.
 

 
All in all, not really a big deal in my opinion but no one cares for that or even asked. This song used by VRBO for its commercial honestly fits fine with the chaos of the scene unfolding before your eyes.

About The Song “I’s the B’y”

“I’s the B’y” is a traditional Newfoundland folk song that has been a staple of the region’s musical heritage. The song celebrates the life and work of fishermen in Newfoundland, detailing the tasks of building and sailing boats, as well as catching fish and bringing them home.

The lyrics are reflective of the Newfoundland dialect and culture, with lines such as “I’s the b’y that builds the boat / And I’s the b’y that sails her / I’s the b’y that catches the fish / And brings them home to Liza.”

The song has not only been preserved through oral tradition but has also influenced contemporary music and media. For example, the Toronto-based band Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker sampled the lyrics in their first single, “Hollowpoint Sniper Hyperbole.” Additionally, an instrumental version of “I’s the B’y” was featured in the second episode of the HBO series “The Neistat Brothers.”

The song’s cultural significance has also been recognized in the form of a Strathspey for bagpipes composed in its honor.The chorus of the song, “Hip yer partner, Sally Thibault,” further emphasizes the communal and celebratory aspects of the song, likely referring to a dance or a form of celebration after a successful fishing trip.

The song’s enduring popularity and its adaptations across different media underscore its importance as a piece of Newfoundland’s cultural heritage.