[Verse 1]
Am Am
There once was a ship that put to sea
Dm Am
The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
Am Am
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
E Am
O b-low, my bully boys, blow
[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 Am
She'd not been two weeks from shore
Dm Am
When down on her a right whale bore
Am 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
[Interlude]
F C
Da da da-da dat da
Dm Am
Da-da dat da da-da da dat da
F C
Da da da-da dat da
E Am
Da-da dat da dat da
[Verse 3]
Am Am
Before the boat had hit the water
Dm Am
The wha-le's tail came up and caught her
Am Am
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
E Am
When she dived down low
[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 Am
No line was cut, no whale was freed
Dm Am
The captain's mind was not of greed
Am Am
And he belonged to the whaleman's creed
E Am
She took that ship in tow
[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
[Interlude]
F C
Da da da-da dat da
Dm Am
Da-da dat da da-da da dat da
F C
Da da da-da dat da
E Am
Da-da dat da dat da
[Verse 5]
Am Am
For forty days, or even more
Dm Am
The line went slack, then tight once more
Am 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 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 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
We’ll take our leave and go
[Outro]
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
