Home Lifestyle Sea Shanties have gone viral on social media, and that’s just awesome

Sea Shanties have gone viral on social media, and that’s just awesome

2 min read
4
The Wellerman

There’s a new trend on TikTok

With roots from a nautical school of rock

If the tune is stuck in your head

Please don’t try and kill me dead!

If you’ve been on social media lately, and TikTok in particular, you might have noticed that the entire scene is looking rather…nautical. Sea shanties have taken over, resulting in solid wholesome entertainment that has had the knock-on effect of being rather uplifting when you’re down in the dumps. What’s brilliant about these shanties, is that they have a collaborative spirit where everyone can add something special to their working class routes.

One in particular has dominated TikTok and Twitter, and goes by the name of The Wellerman song. While it probably existed in some form or another online before it found massive popularity in 2021, Scottish musician Nathan Evans’ upload of it really got the ball rolling:

Social media hopped on this growing craze, with other users stacking their videos on top of the original to create catchy duets. It’s a feature that’s unique to TikTok currently, and it resulted in the song getting better with each new addition to it:

@jonnystewartbass

#duet with @the.bobbybass SHANTY TIME once again! Adding a lower middle harmony 🙂 @nthnevnss @_luke.the.voice_ @apsloan01 #shantytok #wellerman

♬ original sound – N A T H A N E V A N S S

The most wholesome example so far? Twitter user @Beertheist, who reposted his TikTok that showed how he converted his brother over to the side of Shanty Tok:

Who knows how long the legs are on this trend which is 2021’s take on “Toss a coin to your Witcher”, but if you’re looking to join in on the fun, here are the main lyrics to The Wellerman. Good luck getting this melody out of your head…ever.

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

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 had 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

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

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 below

Last Updated: January 15, 2021

4 Comments

  1. Iskape

    January 15, 2021 at 16:04

    Now this is a trend I can get behind!

    Reply

    • Gr8_Balls_o_Fire

      January 16, 2021 at 02:30

      Awomen brother!

      Reply

  2. Gr8_Balls_o_Fire

    January 16, 2021 at 02:31

    I really loved the sea shantys in Black Flag. I would just sail and sail pointlessly just because of those awesome shantys

    Reply

  3. Mandalorian Jim

    January 16, 2021 at 03:30

    Why did it take so long? The shanties in Black Flag were awesome – probably one of the best features of the game.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

TikTok looking to introduce in-app shopping

TikTok is reportedly getting ready to release an in-app shopping feature as a way of allow…