There once was a ship that put to sea, The name of the ship was the belly of tea. The winds blew up her bird, If down a blow, my bolly boys blow. Soon may the wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and run. One day when the tonguing is done, We'll take our leave and go. She'd not been two weeks from shore, Went out on her, all right, well boar! The captain called o'er, hands and swore, He'd take that whale in tow. Soon may the wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and run. One day when the tonguing is done, We'll take our leave and go. Da-da-da-da-da-da, Da-da-da-da-da-da. Before the boat had hit the water, The whale's tail came up and caught her. All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her, Went she, dived down low. Soon may the wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and run. One day when the tonguing is done, We'll take our leave and go. No line was caught, no whale was free, The captain's mind was not aggrieved. For he belonged to the whale-man's creed, He took that ship in so. Soon may the wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and run. One day when the tonguing is done, We'll take our leave and go. Da-da-da-da-da-da, Da-da-da-da-da-da. Soon may the wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and run. One day when the tonguing is done, We'll take our leave and go. Soon may the wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and run. One day when the tonguing is done, We'll take our leave and go. 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. Soon may the wellerman come, To bring us sugar and tea and run. One day when the tonguing is done, We'll take our leave and go. Da-da-da-da-da-da, Da-da-da-da-da-da.