Circle left
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
Oh blow, my bully boys, blow
Men star right do not be late for the light of day
Allemande left so great, you weave around the deck
Soon may the Wellerman come to bring us sugar and tea and rum
Swing the lady round the deck and promenade her home
Soon may the Wellerman come to bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day when the tonguing is done, we'll take our leave and go

Heads (sides) square thru before the boat had hit the water
Make a right hand star go once around you turn
Heads (sides) star left inside the ring you walk that way
Right & left thru and step to an ocean wave
Swing thru down the line, swing thru one more time
Swing that funny girl and promenade her home
Soon may the Wellerman come to bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day when the tonguing is done, we'll take our leave and go

Sides face grand square
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 what in tow
No line was cut, no whale was freed, the captain's mind was not of greed
Allemande left and weave the ring
Soon may the Wellerman come to bring us sugar and tea and rum
Swing the lady round the deck and promenade her home
Soon may the Wellerman come to bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day when the tonguing is done, we'll take our leave and go

Heads (sides) square thru around that slippery floor
Meet the corner girl and do a dosado
Swing thru when so hard the boys run to the right
And do a ferris wheel when the line went slack
Centers pass thru, star thru, square thru 3 hands
Swing the girl around and promenade her home
Soon may the Wellerman come to bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day when the tonguing is done, we'll take our leave and go

Circle left
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
Four boys make a right hand star, you see the whale's tail come up
Allemande left and weave around the ring
Soon may the Wellerman come to bring us sugar and tea and rum
Swing the lady round the deck and promenade her home
Soon may the Wellerman come to bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day when the tonguing is done, we'll...