diff --git a/patacrep/songs/chordpro/ast.py b/patacrep/songs/chordpro/ast.py
index 380d1437..bca092b6 100644
--- a/patacrep/songs/chordpro/ast.py
+++ b/patacrep/songs/chordpro/ast.py
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ class VerseDirective(Directive):
     def __init__(self, keyword, argument=None):
         if keyword not in VERSE_DIRECTIVES:
             #TODO Raise better exception
-            raise Exception
+            raise Exception(keyword)
         super().__init__(keyword, argument)
 
     @property
diff --git a/patacrep/songs/chordpro/syntax.py b/patacrep/songs/chordpro/syntax.py
index b44d0334..bb294143 100644
--- a/patacrep/songs/chordpro/syntax.py
+++ b/patacrep/songs/chordpro/syntax.py
@@ -262,7 +262,8 @@ class ChordproParser(Parser):
             keyword = symbols[3]
             argument = symbols[4]
 
-        symbols[0] = ast.VerseDirective(keyword, argument)
+        if keyword != "newline":
+            symbols[0] = ast.VerseDirective(keyword, argument)
 
     @staticmethod
     def p_directive_next(symbols):
diff --git a/test/test_patatools/test_convert.py b/test/test_patatools/test_convert.py
index f882fe88..437a54c0 100644
--- a/test/test_patatools/test_convert.py
+++ b/test/test_patatools/test_convert.py
@@ -70,10 +70,8 @@ class TestConvert(unittest.TestCase, metaclass=dynamic.DynamicTest):
                     with logging_reduced():
                         if os.path.exists(destname):
                             os.remove(destname)
-                        self.assertEqual(
-                            self._system(main, args + [in_format, out_format, sourcename]),
-                            1,
-                            )
+                        with self.assertRaises(Exception):
+                            self._system(main, args + [in_format, out_format, sourcename])
 
     @staticmethod
     @contextlib.contextmanager
diff --git a/test/test_song/newline.crlf.csg b/test/test_song/newline.crlf.csg
index e9bf0c62..5ebdcec7 100644
--- a/test/test_song/newline.crlf.csg
+++ b/test/test_song/newline.crlf.csg
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ New lines can also
 Be surrounded by spaces
 
 
-New lines cannot
+New lines cannot  appear in the middle of a line
diff --git a/test/test_song/newline.crlf.html b/test/test_song/newline.crlf.html
index 5540af64..d29e7530 100644
--- a/test/test_song/newline.crlf.html
+++ b/test/test_song/newline.crlf.html
@@ -38,6 +38,6 @@ Be in bridges
 Be surrounded by spaces
 </p>
 
-<p class="verse">New lines cannot
+<p class="verse">New lines cannot  appear in the middle of a line
 </p>
 </div>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/test_song/newline.crlf.tsg b/test/test_song/newline.crlf.tsg
index d557de5f..5122de62 100644
--- a/test/test_song/newline.crlf.tsg
+++ b/test/test_song/newline.crlf.tsg
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
 
 
 \begin{verse}
-    New lines cannot
+    New lines cannot  appear in the middle of a line
 \end{verse}
 
 \endsong
diff --git a/test/test_song/newline.csg b/test/test_song/newline.csg
index e9bf0c62..5ebdcec7 100644
--- a/test/test_song/newline.csg
+++ b/test/test_song/newline.csg
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ New lines can also
 Be surrounded by spaces
 
 
-New lines cannot
+New lines cannot  appear in the middle of a line
diff --git a/test/test_song/newline.html b/test/test_song/newline.html
index 5540af64..d29e7530 100644
--- a/test/test_song/newline.html
+++ b/test/test_song/newline.html
@@ -38,6 +38,6 @@ Be in bridges
 Be surrounded by spaces
 </p>
 
-<p class="verse">New lines cannot
+<p class="verse">New lines cannot  appear in the middle of a line
 </p>
 </div>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/test_song/newline.tsg b/test/test_song/newline.tsg
index d557de5f..5122de62 100644
--- a/test/test_song/newline.tsg
+++ b/test/test_song/newline.tsg
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
 
 
 \begin{verse}
-    New lines cannot
+    New lines cannot  appear in the middle of a line
 \end{verse}
 
 \endsong