Wellerman(sea shanty)

(There once was a ship that put to sea)

There once was a ship that put to sea

(The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea)

The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea

(The winds blew up, her bow dipped down)

The winds blew up, her bow dipped down

(O blow, my bully boys, blow)

O blow, my bully boys, blow

(Soon may the Wellerman come)

Soon may the Wellerman come

(To bring us sugar and tea and rum)

To bring us sugar and tea and rum

(One day, when the tonguin' is done)

One day, when the tonguin' is done

(We'll take our leave and go)

We'll take our leave and go

(She had not been two weeks from shore)

She had not been two weeks from shore

(When down on her a right whale bore)

When down on her a right whale bore

(The captain called all hands and swore)

The captain called all hands and swore

(He'd take that whale in tow)

He'd take that whale in tow

(Soon may the Wellerman come)

Soon may the Wellerman come

(To bring us sugar and tea and rum)

To bring us sugar and tea and rum

(One day, when the tonguin' is done)

One day, when the tonguin' is done

(We'll take our leave and go)

We'll take our leave and go

(Before the boat had hit the water)

Before the boat had hit the water

(The whale's tail came up and caught her)

The whale's tail came up and caught her

(All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her)

All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her

(When she dived down low)

When she dived down low

(Soon may the Wellerman come)

Soon may the Wellerman come

(To bring us sugar and tea and rum)

To bring us sugar and tea and rum

(One day, when the tonguin' is done)

One day, when the tonguin' is done

(We'll take our leave and go)

We'll take our leave and go

(No line was cut, no whale was freed)

No line was cut, no whale was freed

(The Captain's mind was not of greed)

The Captain's mind was not of greed

(And he belonged to the whaleman's creed)

And he belonged to the whaleman's creed

(She took that ship in tow)

She took that ship in tow

(Soon may the Wellerman come)

Soon may the Wellerman come

(To bring us sugar and tea and rum)

To bring us sugar and tea and rum

(One day, when the tonguin' is done)

One day, when the tonguin' is done

(We'll take our leave and go)

We'll take our leave and go

(For forty days, or even more)

For forty days, or even more

(The line went slack, then tight once more)

The line went slack, then tight once more

(All boats were lost, there were only four)

All boats were lost, there were only four

(But still that whale did go)

But still that whale did go

(Soon may the Wellerman come)

Soon may the Wellerman come

(To bring us sugar and tea and rum)

To bring us sugar and tea and rum

(One day, when the tonguin' is done)

One day, when the tonguin' is done

(We'll take our leave and go)

We'll take our leave and go

(As far as I've heard, the fight's still on)

As far as I've heard, the fight's still on

(The line's not cut and the whale's not gone)

The line's not cut and the whale's not gone

(The Wellerman makes his regular call)

The Wellerman makes his regular call

(To encourage the Captain, crew, and all)

To encourage the Captain, crew, and all

(Soon may the Wellerman come)

Soon may the Wellerman come

(To bring us sugar and tea and rum)

To bring us sugar and tea and rum

(One day, when the tonguin' is done)

One day, when the tonguin' is done

(We'll take our leave and go)

We'll take our leave and go

(Soon may the Wellerman come)

Soon may the Wellerman come

(To bring us sugar and tea and rum)

To bring us sugar and tea and rum

(One day, when the tonguin' is done)

One day, when the tonguin' is done

(We'll take our leave and go)

We'll take our leave and go