Chords with lyrics
Tuning: G C E A (G C E A)
Ukulele chords in the original key for Nathan Evans' Wellerman version from TikTok
The song is in the key of Cm. This arrangement might be more advanced, however this choice
of chords nicely lets ring out open strings on ukulele.
CHORD VOICINGS
G-C-E-A
C5 0-0-3-3
Fm 1-0-1-3
G5 0-2-3-x
Ab 5-3-4-3
Eb 0-3-3-1
Verse 1:
C5 C5
There once was a ship that put to sea
Fm C5
The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
C5 C5
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
C5 G5 C5
O blow, my bully boys, blow
Chorus:
Ab Eb
Soon may the Wellerman come
Fm C5
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
Ab Eb
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
Eb G5 C5
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 2:
C5 C5
She'd not been two weeks from shore
Fm C5
When down on her a right whale bore
C5 C5
The captain called all hands and swore
C5 G5 C5
He'd take that whale in tow, huh!
Chorus:
Ab Eb
Soon may the Wellerman come
Fm C5
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
Ab Eb
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
Eb G5 C5
We’ll take our leave and go
Interlude:
Ab Eb
Da da da-da dat da
Fm C5
Da-da dat da da-da da dat da
Ab Eb
Da da da-da dat da
Eb G5 C5
Da-da dat da dat da
Verse 3:
C5 C5
Before the boat had hit the water
Fm C5
The wha-le's tail came up and caught her
C5 C5
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
C5 G5 C5
When she dived down low
Chorus:
Ab Eb
Soon may the Wellerman come
Fm C5
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
Ab Eb
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
Eb G5 C5
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 4:
C5 C5
No line was cut, no whale was freed
Fm C5
The captain's mind was not of greed
C5 C5
And he belonged to the whaleman's creed
C5 G5 C5
She took that ship in tow
Chorus:
Ab Eb
Soon may the Wellerman come
Fm C5
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
Ab Eb
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
Eb G5 C5
We’ll take our leave and go
Interlude:
Ab Eb
Da da da-da dat da
Fm C5
Da-da dat da da-da da dat da
Ab Eb
Da da da-da dat da
Eb G5 C5
Da-da dat da dat da
Verse 5:
C5 C5
For forty days, or even more
Fm C5
The line went slack, then tight once more
C5 C5
All boats were lost (there were only four)
C5 G5 C5
But still that whale did go
Chorus:
Ab Eb
Soon may the Wellerman come
Fm C5
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
Ab Eb
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
Eb G5 C5
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 6:
C5 C5
As far as I've heard, the fight's still on
Fm C5
The line's not cut and the whale's not gone
C5 C5
The Wellerman makes his regular call
Fm C5
To encourage the captain, crew, and all
Chorus:
Ab Eb
Soon may the Wellerman come
Fm C5
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
Ab Eb
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
Eb G5 C5
We’ll take our leave and go
Outro:
Ab Eb
Soon may the Wellerman come
Fm C5
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
Ab Eb
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
Eb G5 C5
We’ll take our leave and go