There once was a ship that put to sea, And the name of that ship was the Billy O'Tee, The winds blew hard, a bow dipped down, Blow me, bully boys, blow! Soon may the Wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and rum, One day when the tongue in his thong Will take our leave and go! She had not been two weeks from shore, When down on her a right well 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 tongue in his thong Will take our leave and go! Before the boat had hit the water, The whales take him up and caught, All hands to the side, A poon and forter, When she dived down below! Soon may the Wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and rum, One day when the tongue in his thong Will take our leave and go! No line was cleared, no whale was free, The captain's mind was not angry, But he belonged to the Wellerman's creed, She took that ship in tow! Soon may the Wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and rum, One day when the tongue in his thong Will take our leave and go! For forty days or even more, The line was slack then tight once more, All boats were lost, there were only four, But still that whale did go! Soon may the Wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and rum, One day when the tongue in his thong Will 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 irregular call To a carriage, the captain, crew and all! Soon may the Wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and rum, One day when the tongue in his thong Will take our leave and go! Ha! Soon may the Wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and rum, One day when the tongue in his thong Will take our leave and go!