Saturday, April 26, 2025

W: Wellerman by Nathan Evans

 

 

Welcome AtoZ-ers and other blog friends! This month I'm participating in the AtoZ blogging challenge, and you'll see a post every day (except Sundays) about one of the Songs of my Heart. Today's edition: Wellerman by Nathan Evans.  (If my embedded video won't work, you can listen at this link).

 

There was a minute during the pandemic when everyone was into Sea Shanties. Anyone remember that? Well, I still have this one on my "get stuff done" playlist. The rhythm of it is GREAT for working, which was the point. I feel like groups of men singing together don't get enough notice. It can be amazing to listen to. So sign me up for more sea shanties and more dwarven ballads from the Hobbit!

Lyrics from AtoZ

There once was a ship that put to sea
The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
O blow, my bully boys, blow (Huh!)

Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

She'd not been two weeks from shore
When down on her, a right whale bore
The captain called all hands and swore
He'd take that whale in tow (Huh!)

Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

Da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da
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
When she dived down low (Huh!)

Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

No line was cut, no whale was freed
The Captain's mind was not of greed
But he belonged to the whaleman's creed
She took that ship in tow (Huh!)

Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

Da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da
Da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da-da-da

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 (Huh!)

Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

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 call
To encourage the Captain, crew, and all (Huh!)

Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go  

#AtoZChallenge 2025
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21 comments:

  1. I wonder if you’ve heard this sea shanty which is relevant for me as an ancestor was a fisherman from Ireland.

    https://youtu.be/05rrERdzszs?si=fBkd2_7MtGgTk5YK

    Visiting from https://cassmobfamilyhistory.com

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    Replies
    1. I didn't know that one, and I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I remember the sea shanty fad. This is great! I don't think I saw it at the time. Thanks for sharing it.

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  3. I can just imagine a "Music to get stuff done by" compilation album! I love your theme for the A to Z Challenge.

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    1. I always have a playlist like that. Certain kinds of music keep me moving, even when I don't savor the task at hand.

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  4. I love Sea Chanties. Maybe because I was in the Navy. Although we didn't sing sea chanties. I like Gregorian Chants, as well. I'm probably just weird.

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    Replies
    1. Well, that's the right kind of weird, so far as I'm concerned.

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  5. It's a catchy tune. I cringe to think was "tonguin" is.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah…that's not a savory image. But it's a truth of the history of the industry.

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    2. Sea Shantys, just like Tiger King, kept us entertained during Covid.

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  6. There are songs for every action that needs teamwork to be accomplished effectively. Here from the A-Z and all the best for the end days of the challenge.

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  7. Oh, I'd forgotten about the sea shanty phase. This is a great one, and I can see how it gets one moving.

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    Replies
    1. Right? Great repetitive rhythm. Kid and I use it a lot when we're baking in bulk.

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  8. "There was a minute during the pandemic when everyone was into Sea Shanties. Anyone remember that?" I'm cracking up!!

    - Allison
    https://lightningflashwriting.blogspot.com/

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  9. This is great and I enjoyed it. I don't remember people getting into this during the pandemic.

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    Replies
    1. Maybe it didn't hit where you were. But it was a thing around here.

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  10. The sea shanty minute made me laugh. I didn't really pay much attention other than to know it was happening. It made me think of Girl Scouts. Our troop was a nautical one, so at our annual campout, part of the competition was to do a "sea shanty". It didn't quite work out that way.

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