The viral sea shanty that actually describes 19th-century supply ships
In short: In early 2021, a TikTok cover of "Wellerman" sparked a global social media craze. While many call it a sea shanty, the song is technically a ballad. It tells the story of the Billy o' Tea, a whaling ship waiting for supply ships to bring luxuries to its crew.
The song's lyrics focus on the crew's anticipation of the "wellerman"—the employees of the Weller brothers. These three merchant traders, Edward, George, and Joseph, were among the earliest European settlers in New Zealand's Otago region. In 1831, they founded a whaling station at Otago Heads, seventeen years before the establishment of Dunedin. These traders emigrated from Sydney in 1829. Their base at Otakou was later renamed Otago.
In contrast to Atlantic or northern Pacific whaling, New Zealand's industry frequently utilised shore-based methods, processing carcasses on land. The Otakou station reached a peak in 1834, yielding 310 tons of whale oil every year. The Weller brothers' enterprise was highly profitable, employing as many as 85 people at Otago alone and branching into diverse industries like timber, flax, and even Māori artefacts. This shore-based approach was distinct from Atlantic methods. The enterprise expanded across the South Island's east coast.
The Weller brothers' dominance was short-lived. After Joseph Weller died of tuberculosis in 1835, the brothers faced financial instability. They were declared bankrupt in 1840 following failed land purchases in New South Wales, and the Otakou station closed in 1841, producing only 10 tons of oil. By then, the brothers had effectively slipped out of New Zealand's history. The New South Wales Court of Claims eventually invalidated their land acquisitions. This legal ruling caused their sudden disappearance from local records.
Though the song's exact origins remain unknown, it was documented in 1966 by Neil Colquhoun. It has since evolved from a piece of maritime folk history into a modern phenomenon, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart via a remix by Nathan Evans, 220 Kid, and Billen Ted. The melody was first recorded from an elderly man by Neil Colquhoun. It later appeared in his 1973 book of New Zealand folk songs.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Wellerman
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