The Wellerman
Traditional, arr. Ben Tordoff
Arranged:
2023 Grouping:
sSAATTBb Duration:
02:00
Made a TikTok sensation by Nathan Evans, "The Wellerman" is an old New Zealand sea song likely from the 1830's. The Weller brothers ran a port and whaling station in Otago, New Zealand and their supply ships bringing provisions became known as "The Wellermen". Each verse tells part of the story of a whaling ship, "Billy o' Tea", trying (and failing) to bring down a whale, but the chorus is all about the provisions:
"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"
This simple arrangement puts the verses on different combinations of saxes in different styles with the full choir for the chorus. None of the parts are difficult and it provides a short and fun, if a little clichéd, concert filler. Optional parts are provided for some of the more unusual saxes if you are lucky enough to have them.
© 2023 Ben Tordoff
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