There once was a ship that put to sea
The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
Oh 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

The wellerman, the wellerman

She'd 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

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 low

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

The wellerman, the wellerman
The wellerman, the wellerman

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