The Wellerman Song Lyrics by Nathan Evans and Santiano
There once was a ship that put to seaThe name of the ship was the Billy O’ TeaThe winds blew up, her bow dipped downOh blow, my bully boys, blow (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman comeTo bring us sugar and tea and rumOne day, when the tonguing is doneWe’ll take our leave and go
She’d not been two weeks from shoreWhen down on her a right whale boreThe captain called all hands and sworeHe’d take that whale in tow (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman comeTo bring us sugar and tea and rumOne day, when the tonguing is doneWe’ll take our leave and go
Da-da-da-da-daDa-da-da-da-da-da-daDa-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
Before the boat had hit the waterThe whale’s tail came up and caught herAll hands to the side, harpooned and fought herWhen she dived down low (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman comeTo bring us sugar and tea and rumOne day, when the tonguing is doneWe’ll take our leave and go
No line was cut, no whale was freedThe captain’s mind was not of greedAnd he belonged to the Whaleman’s creedShe took that ship in tow (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman comeTo bring us sugar and tea and rumOne day, when the tonguing is doneWe’ll take our leave and go
Da-da-da-da-daDa-da-da-da-da-da-daDa-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
For forty days or even moreThe line went slack then tight once moreAll boats were lost, there were only fourBut still that whale did go (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman comeTo bring us sugar and tea and rumOne day, when the tonguing is doneWe’ll take our leave and go
As far as I’ve heard, the fight’s still onThe line’s not cut, and the whale’s not goneThe Wellerman makes his regular callTo encourage the captain, crew and all (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman comeTo bring us sugar and tea and rumOne day, when the tonguing is doneWe’ll take our leave and go
Soon may the Wellerman comeTo bring us sugar and tea and rumOne day, when the tonguing is doneWe’ll take our leave and go