Key: Am
Introduction:
Am
There once was a ship that put to sea
Dm Am
And the name of the ship was the Billy o' Tea
Am
The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down
E Am
Blow, me bully boys, blow (huh!)
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin&rsquo is done,
E Am
We&rsquo ll take our leave and go
Am
She had not been two weeks from shore
Dm Am
When down on her a right whale bore
Am
The captain called all hands and swore
E Am
He' d take that whale in tow (huh!)
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin&rsquo is done,
E Am
We&rsquo ll take our leave and go
Am
Before the boat had hit the water
Dm Am
The whale' s tail came up and caught her
Am
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
E Am
When she dived down below (huh!)
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin&rsquo is done,
E Am
We&rsquo ll take our leave and go
Am
No line was cut, no whale was freed
Dm Am
The Captain' s mind was not of greed
Am
But he belonged to the whaleman' s creed
E Am
She took the ship in tow (huh!)
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin&rsquo is done,
E Am
We&rsquo ll take our leave and go
Am
For forty days, or even more
Dm Am
The line went slack, then tight once more
Am
All boats were lost (there were only four)
E Am
But still that whale did go
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin&rsquo is done,
E Am
We&rsquo ll take our leave and go
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
The Wellerman makes his regular call
Dm Am
To encourage the Captain, crew, and all
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin&rsquo is done,
E Am G
We&rsquo ll take our leave and go
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin&rsquo is done,
E Am
We&rsquo ll take our leave and go