Am
There once was a ship that put to sea
Dm Am
And the name of the ship was the Billy o' Tea
Am
The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down
E Am
Blow, me bully boys, blow (huh!)
[Chorus]
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
E Am
We’ll take our leave and go
[Verse 2]
Am
She had not been two weeks from shore
Dm Am
When down on her a right whale bore
Am
The captain called all hands and swore
E Am
He'd take that whale in tow (huh!)
[Chorus]
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
E Am
We’ll take our leave and go
[Verse 3]
Am
Before the boat had hit the water
Dm Am
The whale's tail came up and caught her
Am
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
E Am
When she dived down below (huh!)
[Chorus]
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
E Am
We’ll take our leave and go
[Verse 4]
Am
No line was cut, no whale was freed;
Dm Am
The Captain's mind was not of greed
Am
But he belonged to the whaleman's creed;
E Am
She took the ship in tow (huh!)
[Chorus]
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
E Am
We’ll take our leave and go
[Verse 5]
Am
For forty days, or even more
Dm Am
The line went slack, then tight once more
Am
All boats were lost (there were only four)
E Am
But still that whale did go
[Chorus]
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
E Am
We’ll take our leave and go
[Verse 6]
Am
As far as I've heard, the fight's still on;
Dm Am
The line's not cut and the whale's not gone
Am
The Wellerman makes his regular call
Dm Am
To encourage the Captain, crew, and all
[Chorus]
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
E Am G
We’ll take our leave and go
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
E Am
We’ll take our leave and go
