The Wellerman

There was a ship that put to sea
The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea  
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
O 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  
I’ll take my leave and go



She had not been two weeks from shore  
When down on her a right 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  
I’ll take my 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  
When she dived down below



Soon may the Wellerman come  
And bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin’ is done  
I’ll take my leave and go

No line was cut, no whale was freed
The Captain’s mind was not of greed
But he belonged to the whaleman’s creed 
She took the ship in tow



Soon may the Wellerman come  
And bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin’ is done  
I’ll take my leave and go

For forty days, or even more  
The line went slack, then tight once more
All boats were lost (there were only four)  
But still the whale did go



Soon may the Wellerman come  
And bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin’ is done  
I’ll take my leave and go

As far as I know, the fight’s still on
The line’s not cut and the whale’s not gone
The Wellerman makes his regular call  
To the Captain, crew, and all


Soon may the Wellerman come  
And bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin’ is done  
I’ll take my leave and go