The Wellerman

(Sea shanty)

There was a ship that put to sea
And the name of the ship was the Billy at Tea
The wind came up her bow dipped down
Blow my bully boys blow

Soon may the Wellerman come
And bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

She had not been two weeks from shore
When down on her right a whale bore
The captain called all hands and swore
He'd take that whale in tow

Soon may the Wellerman come
And bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

Before the boat had hit the water
The whale's tail came up and caught her
All hands to the side harpooned and fought her
She dived down below

Soon may the Wellerman come
And bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

A line we dropped all in pursuit
She raised her tail a last salute
But the harpoon lodged there's no dispute
She dived down below

Soon may the Wellerman come
And bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

For six long days and six long nights
She drove us south with all her might
Until we were too tired to fight
Then we let her go

Soon may the Wellerman come
And bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

The line was cut the whale was freed
The Captain's mind was not on greed
He belonged to the sailor's creed
And he let that whale go

Soon may the Wellerman come
And bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

Soon may the Wellerman come
And bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go