[Verse 1]
Bm
There once was a ship that put to sea
Em Bm
And the name of the ship was the Billy o' Tea
Bm
The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down
F# Bm
Blow, me bully boys, blow (huh!)
[Chorus]
G D
Soon may the Wellerman come
Em Bm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
G D
One day, when the tonguin' is done,
F# Bm
We'll take our leave and go
[Verse 2]
Bm
She had not been two weeks from shore
Em Bm
When down on her a right whale bore
Bm
The captain called all hands and swore
F# Bm
He'd take that whale in tow (huh!)
[Chorus]
G D
Soon may the Wellerman come
Em Bm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
G D
One day, when the tonguin' is done,
F# Bm
We'll take our leave and go
[Verse 3]
Bm
Before the boat had hit the water
Em Bm
The whale's tail came up and caught her
Bm
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
F# Bm
When she dived down below (huh!)
[Chorus]
G D
Soon may the Wellerman come
Em Bm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
G D
One day, when the tonguin' is done,
F# Bm
We'll take our leave and go
[Verse 4]
Bm
No line was cut, no whale was freed;
Em Bm
The Captain's mind was not of greed
Bm
But he belonged to the whaleman's creed;
F# Bm
She took the ship in tow (huh!)
[Chorus]
G D
Soon may the Wellerman come
Em Bm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
G D
One day, when the tonguin' is done,
F# Bm
We'll take our leave and go
[Verse 5]
Bm
For forty days, or even more
Em Bm
The line went slack, then tight once more
Bm
All boats were lost (there were only four)
F# Bm
But still that whale did go
[Chorus]
G D
Soon may the Wellerman come
Em Bm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
G D
One day, when the tonguin' is done,
F# Bm
We'll take our leave and go
[Verse 6]
Bm
As far as I've heard, the fight's still on;
Em Bm
The line's not cut and the whale's not gone
Bm
The Wellerman makes his regular call
Em Bm
To encourage the Captain, crew, and all
[Chorus]
G D
Soon may the Wellerman come
Em Bm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
G D
One day, when the tonguin' is done,
F# Bm A
We'll take our leave and go
G D
Soon may the Wellerman come
Em Bm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
G D
One day, when the tonguin' is done,
F# Bm
We'll take our leave and go