Chords with lyrics
Tuning: G C E A (G C E A)
Verse 1:
Am
There once was a ship that put to sea
Dm Am
And the name of that ship was the Billy o' Tea
Dm
The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down
Gm Am
Blow, me bully boys, blow (Huh!)
Chorus:
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
Dm Am
We'll take our leave and go
Verse 2:
Am
She had not been two weeks from shore
Dm Am
When down on her a right whale bore
Dm
The captain called all hands and swore
Gm Am
He'd take that whale in tow (Hah!)
Chorus:
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
Dm Am
We'll take our leave and go
Verse 3:
Am
Before the boat had hit the water
Dm Am
The whale's tail came up and caught her
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
Gm Am
When she dived down below (Huh!)
Chorus:
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
Dm Am
We'll take our leave and go
Verse 4:
Am
No line was cut, no whale was freed;
Dm Am
The Captain's mind was not on greed
Dm
But he belonged to the whaleman's creed;
Gm Am
She took that ship in tow (Huh!)
Chorus:
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
Dm Am
We'll take our leave and go
Verse 5:
Am
For forty days, or even more
Dm Am
The line went slack, then tight once more
All boats were lost, there were only four
Gm Am
But still that whale did go
Chorus:
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
Dm Am
We'll take our leave and go
Verse 6:
Am
As far as I've heard, the fight's still on;
Dm F(or Am)
The line's not cut and the whale's not gone
Am Dm
The Wellerman makes his a regular call
Gm Am
To encourage the Captain, crew, and all
Chorus:
F C
Soon may the Wellerman come
Dm Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
F C
One day, when the tonguin' is done
Dm Am
We'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' is done
Dm Am
We'll take our leave and go