We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/

about

(Traditional)
"Shore whaling began in New Zealand in about 1829 and ten years later there were about 1000 shore whalers in harbours all along the East Coast. But they killed the baby whales resting in the harbours, and thus wiped out the population they were preying on. By the 1850s the boom was over." from www.nzfolksong.org.nz

lyrics

D
Come all you tonguers and land-loving lubbers 
A
Here's a job cutting-in and boiling down blubbers 
D
A job for the youngster or old and ailing 
                                A
The agent will take any man for shore whaling

Chorus: 
        D                     A
I am paid in soap and sugar and rum 
                                  D
For cutting in whale and boiling down tongue 
        G                             D
The agent's fee makes my blood so to boil 
                            A            D
I'll ... push! him in a hot pot of oil

Go hang the agent, the company too 
They are making a fortune off me and off you 
No chance of a passage from out of this place 
And the price of living's a blooming disgrace!!

credits

from NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL SEA SHANTIES vol. 1, released July 1, 2013

license

tags

about

Wellington Sea Shanty Society Wellington, New Zealand

Aotearoa New Zealand's Most 'Sea Worthy' Shanty Group™

contact / help

Contact Wellington Sea Shanty Society

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Wellington Sea Shanty Society recommends:

If you like Wellington Sea Shanty Society, you may also like: