The Longest Johns – Wellerman Chords

There once was a ship that put to sea, and the name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down, o blow, my bully boys, blow
Soon may the Wellerman come, to bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done, we’ll take our leave and go

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
Soon may the Wellerman come, to bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done, we’ll take our leave and go

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
Soon may the Wellerman come, to bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done, we’ll take our leave and go

No line was cut, no whale was freed; the Captain’s mind was not of greed
But he belonged to the whaleman’s creed; she took the ship in tow
Soon may the Wellerman come, to bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done, we’ll take our leave and go

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
Soon may the Wellerman come, to bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done, we’ll take our leave and go

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
Soon may the Wellerman come, to bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing 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 tonguing is done, we’ll take our leave and go