There once was a ship that put to sea
The name of the ship was the Billy o' Tea
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
Oh blow, my bully boys, blow (huh)
When down on her a right whale bore
The captain called all hands and swore
He would take that whale in tow (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman come
One day, when the tonguing is done
We will take our leave and go (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
We will take our leave and go (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We will take our leave and go (huh)
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We will take our leave and go (huh)
Before the boat had hit the water
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
When she dived down below (huh)
No line was cut, no whale was freed
The captain's mind was not of greed
She took that ship in tow (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We will take our leave and go (huh)
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We will take our leave and go (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman come
One day, when the tonguing is done
We will take our leave and go (huh)
For forty days or even more
The line went slack then tight once more
But still that whale did go (huh)
As far as I have heard, the fight's still on