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