Verse 1:
Am G
There once was a ship that put to sea
F Em
And the name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
Am G
The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down
F E Am
O blow, my bully boys, blow
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
G Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
G Ab7M Am
We'll take our leave and go
Verse 2:
Am G
She had not been two weeks from shore
F Em
When down on her a right whale bore
Am G
The captain called all hands and swore
F Em Am
He'd take that whale in tow
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
G Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
G Ab7M Am
We'll take our leave and go
Verse 3:
Am G
Before the boat had hit the water
F Em
The whale's tail came up and caught her
Am G
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
F Em Am
When she dived down below
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
G Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
G Ab7M Am
We'll take our leave and go
Verse 4:
Am G
No line was cut, no whale was freed
F Em
The Captain's mind was not of greed
Am G
But he belonged to the whaleman's creed
F Em Am
She took the ship in tow
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
G Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
G Ab7M Am
We'll take our leave and go
Verse 5:
Am G
For forty days, or even more
Fm Em
The line went slack, then tight once more
Am G
All boats were lost, there were only four)
F Em Am
But still that whale did go
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
G Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
G Ab7M Am
We'll take our leave and go
Verse 6:
Am G
As far as I've heard, the fight's still on
F Em
The line's not cut and the whale's not gone
Am G
The Wellerman makes his regular call
F Em Am
To encourage the Captain, crew, and all
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
G Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
G Ab7M Am
We'll take our leave and go
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
G Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
G Ab7M Am
We'll take our leave and go