The Longest Johns – Wellerman (Kapo 8ter Bund)
[Verse 1]
Em C
There once was a ship that put to sea
Am Em
And the name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
Em
The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down
H7 Em
O blow, me bully boys, blow - hua


[Chorus]
C G
Soon may the Wellerman come
Am Em
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
C G
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
H7 Em
We’ll take our leave and go


[Verse 2]
Em
She had not been two weeks from shore
Am Em
When down on her a right whale bore
Em
The captain called all hands and swore
H7 Em
He'd take that whale in tow - hua

[Chorus] 2 mal (2 tes mal mit “da da“)
C G
Soon may the Wellerman come
Am Em
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
C G
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
H7 Em
We’ll take our leave and go
[Verse 3]
Em
Before the boat had hit the water
Am Em
The whale's tail came up and caught her
Em
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
H7 Em
When she dived down below - hua


[Chorus]
C G
Soon may the Wellerman come
Am Em
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
C G
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
H7 Em
We’ll take our leave and go


[Verse 4]
Em
No line was cut, no whale was freed;
Am Em
The Captain's mind was not of greed
Em
But he belonged to the whaleman's creed;
H7 Em
She took the ship in tow - hua


[Chorus] 2 mal (2 tes mal mit “da da“)
C G
Soon may the Wellerman come
Am Em
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
C G
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
H7 Em
We’ll take our leave and go

[Verse 5]
Em
For forty days, or even more
Am Em
The line went slack, then tight once more
Em
All boats were lost (there were only four)
H7 Em
But still that whale did go - hua


[Chorus]
C G
Soon may the Wellerman come
Am Em
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
C G
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
H7 Em
We’ll take our leave and go


[Verse 6]
Em
As far as I've heard, the fight's still on;
Am Em
The line's not cut and the whale's not gone
Em
The Wellerman makes his regular call
Am Em
To encourage the Captain, crew, and all - hua


2 x [Chorus]
C G
Soon may the Wellerman come
Am Em
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
C G
One day, when the tonguin’ is done,
H7 Em
We’ll take our leave and go.