The Wellerman

There once 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

Oh blow, my bully boys, blow (huh)

CHORUS

Soon may the Wellerman come 

To bring us sugar and tea and rum 

One day, when the tonguing is done 

We’ll take our leave and go

She’d 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 (huh)

CHORUS

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 low (huh)

CHORUS

No line was cut, no whale was freed 

The captain's mind was not of greed 

And he belonged to the Whaleman’s creed 

She took that ship in tow (huh)

CHORUS

For forty days or even more 

The line went slack then tight once more

All boats were lost, there were only four

But still that whale did go (huh)

CHORUS

As far as I've heard, the fight’s still on 

The line’s not cut, and the whale’s not gone 

The Wellerman makes his regular call 

To encourage the captain, crew and all (huh)