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The Wellerman (Live)

from Five Years at Sea by Pyrates!

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about

The Wellerman - (Live)
Also know as:
"Soon May The Wellerman Come"
Trad. Arr - Pyrates!


This is a live version from 2018!
The Wellerman has actually been in the setlist since 2016 :)

lyrics

There was a ship that put to sea,
and the name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
The winds blew up, as her bow dipped down,
now blow, my bully boys, blow.
The captain he brave and free
the pride of his ship the Billy of Tea
all hands he cried as the rum went down
now blow, my bully boys, blow.

Soon may the Wellerman come
Bring us sugar and tea and rum.
One day, when the tonguing is done,
We'll take our leave and go.

The billy set sail out of cloudy bay
the whaling grounds not far away
the crew they sang of botany bay
as they sailed on to and fro

They had not been two weeks from shore
Down on her a right whale bore.
The captain cried all hands and swore
that he'd take that whale in tow.

Before the boat had hit the water
The tail came up and caught her.
All hands harpooned and fought her
As she dived down below.

No line was cut, no whale was freed;
The Captain's mind was not of greed,
For he belonged to the wellerman's creed;
As he took that whale in tow

For forty days, or even more,
The line went slack, then tight once more.
All boats were lost (there were only four)
But still that whale did go.

As far as I know, the fight's still on;
The line's not cut the whale's not gone.
The Wellerman makes his regular call
To the captain Captain, crew, and all.

credits

from Five Years at Sea, released August 18, 2023
Tune 'Four Up' Barry Goodman

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Pyrates! Netherlands

Pyrates! Are an award winning sea shanty folk rock band who will take you on a musical excursion across the oceans themselves as they breathe new life back into sea shanties, traditional songs, old folk favourites and ballads whose origins have been forgotten and lost in time. ... more

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