Published: 2021-02-25 14:25 Selection chords: Ethan Cooper
Tonality
Verse:
Am
There once was a ship that put to sea
DmAm
And the name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
Am
The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down
EAm
O blow, my bully boys, blow
Chorus:
FC
Soon may the Wellerman come
DmAm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
FC
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
EAm
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse:
Am
She had not been two weeks from shore
DmAm
When down on her a right whale bore
Am
The captain called all hands and swore
EAm
Heʼd take that whale in tow
Chorus:
FC
Soon may the Wellerman come
DmAm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
FC
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
EAm
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse:
Am
Before the boat had hit the water
DmAm
The whaleʼs tail came up and caught her
Am
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
EAm
When she dived down below
Chorus:
FC
Soon may the Wellerman come
DmAm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
FC
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
EAm
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse:
Am
No line was cut, no whale was freed;
DmAm
The Captainʼs mind was not of greed
Am
But he belonged to the whalemanʼs creed;
EAm
She took the ship in tow
Chorus:
FC
Soon may the Wellerman come
DmAm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
FC
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
EAm
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse:
Am
For forty days, or even more
DmAm
The line went slack, then tight once more
Am
All boats were lost (there were only four)
EAm
But still that whale did go
Chorus:
FC
Soon may the Wellerman come
DmAm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
FC
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
EAm
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse:
Am
As far as Iʼve heard, the fightʼs still on;
DmAm
The lineʼs not cut and the whaleʼs not gone
Am
The Wellerman makes his regular call
DmAm
To encourage the Captain, crew, and all
Chorus:
FC
Soon may the Wellerman come
DmAm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
FC
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
EAmG
We’ll take our leave and go
FC
Soon may the Wellerman come
DmAm
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
FC
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
EAm
We’ll take our leave and go