Verse 1
There once was a ship that put to sea
And the name of that ship was the Billy o' Tea
The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down
Blow, me bully boys, blow (huh!)
Chorus
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 2
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 (huh!)
Chorus
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 3
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 (huh!)
Chorus
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 4
No line was cut, no whale was freed;
The Captain's mind was not on greed
But he belonged to the whaleman's creed;
She took that ship in tow (huh!)
Chorus
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 5
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
Chorus
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 6
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
Chorus
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
We’ll take our leave and go
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
We’ll take our leave and go