The Singing Scoutmaster: Wellerman (Sea Shanty)



Wellerman (Sea Shanty)
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Category: Calm
Link: Performance Example

Am                                     
There once was a ship that put to sea  
        Dm                       Am            
And the name of the ship was the Billy of Tea  
    Am                                    
The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down  
   E7                   Am    
Oh blow, my bully boys, blow  
   
F            C               
Soon may the Wellerman come  
   Dm                 Am           
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
F                 C                  
One day, when the tonguin' is done,  
      E7                 Am  
We'll take our leave and go  
   
    Am                                 
She had not been two weeks from shore  
     Dm            Am                
When down on her a right whale bore  
    Am                                  
The captain called all hands and swore  
     E7                 Am   
He'd take that whale in tow  
   
F            C               
Soon may the Wellerman come  
   Dm                 Am           
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
F                 C                  
One day, when the tonguin' is done,  
      E7                 Am  
We'll take our leave and go  
   
Am                                 
Before the boat had hit the water  
    Dm                Am                 
The whale's tail came up and caught her  
    Am                                           
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her  
     E7             Am     
When she dived down below  
   
F            C               
Soon may the Wellerman come  
   Dm                 Am           
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
F                 C                  
One day, when the tonguin' is done,  
      E7                 Am  
We'll take our leave and go  
   
   Am                                 
No line was cut, no whale was freed;  
    Dm                 Am            
The Captain's mind was not of greed  
    Am                                    
But he belonged to the whaleman's creed;  
    E7               Am   
She took the ship in tow  
   
F            C               
Soon may the Wellerman come  
   Dm                 Am           
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
F                 C                  
One day, when the tonguin' is done,  
      E7                 Am  
We'll take our leave and go  
   
    Am                        
For forty days, or even more  
    Dm                    Am               
The line went slack, then tight once more  
    Am                                      
All boats were lost (there were only four)  
    E7                   Am  
But still that whale did go  
   
F            C               
Soon may the Wellerman come  
   Dm                 Am           
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
F                 C                  
One day, when the tonguin' is done,  
      E7                 Am  
We'll take our leave and go  
   
   Am                                        
As far as I've heard, the fight's still on;  
    Dm                     Am                
The line's not cut and the whale's not gone  
    Am                                
The Wellerman makes his regular call  
   Dm                     Am             
To encourage the Captain, crew, and all  
   
F            C               
Soon may the Wellerman come  
   Dm                 Am           
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
F                 C                  
One day, when the tonguin' is done,  
      E7                 Am  
We'll take our leave and go  
   
F            C               
Soon may the Wellerman come  
   Dm                 Am           
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
F                 C                  
One day, when the tonguin' is done,  
      E7                 Am  
We'll take our leave and go  
   

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