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