There once was a ship that put to sea,And the name of that ship was the Billy o' TeaThe winds blew hard, her bow dipped down,Blow, me bully boys, blow!Chorus (after each verse):(HUH!)Soon may the Wellerman cometo bring us sugar and tea and rum.One day, when the tonguing' is done,We'll take our leave and go.She had not been two weeks from shoreWhen down on her a right whale bore.The captain called all hands and sworeHe'd take that whale in tow.{Chorus}Before the boat had hit the waterThe whale's tail came up and caught her.All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her,When she dived down below.{Chorus}No line was cut, no whale was freed,An' the captain's mind was not on greed!But he belonged to the Whaleman's creedShe took that ship in tow{Chorus}For forty days or even more,the line went slack then tight once more,All boats were lost, there were only fourand still that whale did go.{Chorus}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 callto encourage the captain, crew and all!