Amtap to play
Dmtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
Am · Dm · F · C
Wellerman Chords – Guitar
Nathan Evans’ viral sea shanty about a whaling ship awaiting supplies. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.
Shanty Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Emphasize the downstrokes to drive the rhythm like a work song.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
There once was a ship that put to sea
E A
The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
A
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
E A
Oh blow, my bully boys, blow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 2
A
She had not been two weeks from shore
E A
When down on her, a right whale bore
A
The captain called all hands and swore
E A
He’d take that whale in tow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 3
A
Before the boat had hit the water
E A
The whale’s tail came up and caught her
A
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
E A
When she dived down low
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 4
A
No line was cut, no whale was freed
E A
The captain’s mind was not on greed
A
But he belonged to the whaleman’s creed
E A
She took that ship in tow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 5
A
For forty days, or even more
E A
The line went slack, then tight once more
A
All boats were lost, there were only four
E A
But still that whale did go
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 6
A
As far as I’ve heard, the fight’s still on
E A
The line’s not cut and the whale’s not gone
A
The Wellerman makes his regular call
E A
To encourage the captain, crew, and all
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Practice tip: Practice the A to E chord change until it’s automatic, as it’s the most common transition in the song.
Amtap to play
Dmtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
Am · Dm · F · C
Wellerman Chords – Ukulele
Nathan Evans’ viral sea shanty about a whaling ship awaiting supplies. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.
Shanty Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Emphasize the downstrokes to drive the rhythm like a work song.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
There once was a ship that put to sea
E A
The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
A
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
E A
Oh blow, my bully boys, blow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 2
A
She had not been two weeks from shore
E A
When down on her, a right whale bore
A
The captain called all hands and swore
E A
He’d take that whale in tow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 3
A
Before the boat had hit the water
E A
The whale’s tail came up and caught her
A
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
E A
When she dived down low
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 4
A
No line was cut, no whale was freed
E A
The captain’s mind was not on greed
A
But he belonged to the whaleman’s creed
E A
She took that ship in tow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 5
A
For forty days, or even more
E A
The line went slack, then tight once more
A
All boats were lost, there were only four
E A
But still that whale did go
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 6
A
As far as I’ve heard, the fight’s still on
E A
The line’s not cut and the whale’s not gone
A
The Wellerman makes his regular call
E A
To encourage the captain, crew, and all
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Practice tip: Practice the A to E chord change until it’s automatic, as it’s the most common transition in the song.
Amtap to play
Dmtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
Am · Dm · F · C
Wellerman Chords – Piano
Nathan Evans’ viral sea shanty about a whaling ship awaiting supplies. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.
Shanty Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Emphasize the downstrokes to drive the rhythm like a work song.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
There once was a ship that put to sea
E A
The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
A
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
E A
Oh blow, my bully boys, blow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 2
A
She had not been two weeks from shore
E A
When down on her, a right whale bore
A
The captain called all hands and swore
E A
He’d take that whale in tow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 3
A
Before the boat had hit the water
E A
The whale’s tail came up and caught her
A
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
E A
When she dived down low
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 4
A
No line was cut, no whale was freed
E A
The captain’s mind was not on greed
A
But he belonged to the whaleman’s creed
E A
She took that ship in tow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 5
A
For forty days, or even more
E A
The line went slack, then tight once more
A
All boats were lost, there were only four
E A
But still that whale did go
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 6
A
As far as I’ve heard, the fight’s still on
E A
The line’s not cut and the whale’s not gone
A
The Wellerman makes his regular call
E A
To encourage the captain, crew, and all
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Practice tip: Practice the A to E chord change until it’s automatic, as it’s the most common transition in the song.
Amtap to play
Dmtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
Am · Dm · F · C
Wellerman Chords – Banjo
Nathan Evans’ viral sea shanty about a whaling ship awaiting supplies. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.
Shanty Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Emphasize the downstrokes to drive the rhythm like a work song.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
There once was a ship that put to sea
E A
The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
A
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
E A
Oh blow, my bully boys, blow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 2
A
She had not been two weeks from shore
E A
When down on her, a right whale bore
A
The captain called all hands and swore
E A
He’d take that whale in tow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 3
A
Before the boat had hit the water
E A
The whale’s tail came up and caught her
A
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
E A
When she dived down low
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 4
A
No line was cut, no whale was freed
E A
The captain’s mind was not on greed
A
But he belonged to the whaleman’s creed
E A
She took that ship in tow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 5
A
For forty days, or even more
E A
The line went slack, then tight once more
A
All boats were lost, there were only four
E A
But still that whale did go
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 6
A
As far as I’ve heard, the fight’s still on
E A
The line’s not cut and the whale’s not gone
A
The Wellerman makes his regular call
E A
To encourage the captain, crew, and all
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Practice tip: Practice the A to E chord change until it’s automatic, as it’s the most common transition in the song.
Amtap to play
Dmtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
Am · Dm · F · C
Wellerman Chords – Mandolin
Nathan Evans’ viral sea shanty about a whaling ship awaiting supplies. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.
Shanty Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Emphasize the downstrokes to drive the rhythm like a work song.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
There once was a ship that put to sea
E A
The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
A
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
E A
Oh blow, my bully boys, blow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 2
A
She had not been two weeks from shore
E A
When down on her, a right whale bore
A
The captain called all hands and swore
E A
He’d take that whale in tow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 3
A
Before the boat had hit the water
E A
The whale’s tail came up and caught her
A
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
E A
When she dived down low
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 4
A
No line was cut, no whale was freed
E A
The captain’s mind was not on greed
A
But he belonged to the whaleman’s creed
E A
She took that ship in tow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 5
A
For forty days, or even more
E A
The line went slack, then tight once more
A
All boats were lost, there were only four
E A
But still that whale did go
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 6
A
As far as I’ve heard, the fight’s still on
E A
The line’s not cut and the whale’s not gone
A
The Wellerman makes his regular call
E A
To encourage the captain, crew, and all
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Practice tip: Practice the A to E chord change until it’s automatic, as it’s the most common transition in the song.
Amtap to play
Dmtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
Am · Dm · F · C
Wellerman Chords – Harmonica
Nathan Evans’ viral sea shanty about a whaling ship awaiting supplies. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.
Shanty Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Emphasize the downstrokes to drive the rhythm like a work song.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
There once was a ship that put to sea
E A
The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
A
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
E A
Oh blow, my bully boys, blow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 2
A
She had not been two weeks from shore
E A
When down on her, a right whale bore
A
The captain called all hands and swore
E A
He’d take that whale in tow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 3
A
Before the boat had hit the water
E A
The whale’s tail came up and caught her
A
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
E A
When she dived down low
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 4
A
No line was cut, no whale was freed
E A
The captain’s mind was not on greed
A
But he belonged to the whaleman’s creed
E A
She took that ship in tow
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 5
A
For forty days, or even more
E A
The line went slack, then tight once more
A
All boats were lost, there were only four
E A
But still that whale did go
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Verse 6
A
As far as I’ve heard, the fight’s still on
E A
The line’s not cut and the whale’s not gone
A
The Wellerman makes his regular call
E A
To encourage the captain, crew, and all
Chorus
A
Soon may the Wellerman come
E A
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
A
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
E A
We’ll take our leave and go
Practice tip: Practice the A to E chord change until it’s automatic, as it’s the most common transition in the song.