[Verse 1]

There once was a ship that put to sea

And the name of that ship was the Billy o' Tea

The winds blew up, her bow dipped down

Blow, my bully boys, blow

[Chorus]

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

[Verse 2]

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

[Chorus]

Soon may the Wellerman come

To bring us sugar and tea and rum

Onе day, when the tonguing is done

Wе'll take our leave and go

[Verse 3]

Before the boat had hit the water

The whale's tail came up and caught her

Hands to the side, harpooned and fought her

When she dived down below

[Chorus]

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

[Verse 4]

No line was cut, no whale was freed

The captain's mind was not on greed

He belonged to the Whaleman's creed

She took that ship in tow

[Chorus]

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

[Verse 5]

For 40 days or even more

The line went slack then tight once more

The boats were lost, there were only 4

And still that whale did go

[Chorus]

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

[Verse 6]

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

[Chorus]

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

Take our leave and, take our leave and go