There once was a ship that put to sea

And the name of the ship was the Billy of Tea

The winds blew hard and her bow dipped down

Blow, my bully boys, blow

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

(x2)

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 must go

And 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

(x2)

Take our leave and go