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