Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • The Wellerman Chords

    Uploaded by

    Helga Buitelaar
    199 views2 pages
    The song describes a whaling ship called the Billy of Tea that harpoons a whale but finds itself unable to cut the line and free itself from the whale's tow. Over forty days, the whale drags the ship and its dwindling crew across the ocean as they try in vain to sever the line. They hope that the provision ship called the Wellerman will eventually arrive with supplies to rescue them from their predicament.

    Original Description:

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    The song describes a whaling ship called the Billy of Tea that harpoons a whale but finds itself unable to cut the line and free itself from the whale's tow. Over forty days, the whale drags the ship and its dwindling crew across the ocean as they try in vain to sever the line. They hope that the provision ship called the Wellerman will eventually arrive with supplies to rescue them from their predicament.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    199 views2 pages

    The Wellerman Chords

    Uploaded by

    Helga Buitelaar
    The song describes a whaling ship called the Billy of Tea that harpoons a whale but finds itself unable to cut the line and free itself from the whale's tow. Over forty days, the whale drags the ship and its dwindling crew across the ocean as they try in vain to sever the line. They hope that the provision ship called the Wellerman will eventually arrive with supplies to rescue them from their predicament.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    The wellerman

    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
    E Am
    O blow, me bully boys, blow

    refrein
    F C Dm Am
    Soon may the Wellerman come To bring us sugar and tea and rum
    F C E Am
    One day, when the tonguin’ is done, We’ll take our leave and go

    2 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
    E Am
    He'd take that whale in tow

    Am
    3 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
    E Am
    When she dived down below

    [Chorus]
    Am
    4 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;
    E Am
    She took the ship in tow

    [Chorus]

    refrein
    F C Dm Am
    Soon may the Wellerman come To bring us sugar and tea and rum
    F C E Am
    One day, when the tonguin’ is done, We’ll take our leave and go

    Am
    5 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)
    E Am
    But still that whale did go

    Am
    6 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

    You might also like