Soon May The Wellerman Come: The 5 Shocking Truths Behind The Viral Sea Shanty 'There Once Was A Ship That Put To Sea'

The phrase "There once was a ship that put to sea" is more than just a catchy line; it is the opening salvo of a global cultural phenomenon that unexpectedly resurrected a 19th-century folk song and launched a Scottish postman into international stardom. As of December 11, 2025, the song, officially known as "Soon May the Wellerman Come," continues to make waves, proving that the power of communal music transcends centuries and digital platforms.

This deep dive will explore the forgotten history of the Wellerman, the biography of its modern champion, and the surprising, fresh updates that prove the sea shanty revival is far from over, cementing its place as a unique piece of modern musical folklore.

The Modern Champion: Nathan Evans' Biography and Current Status

The global resurgence of the sea shanty is inextricably linked to one man: Scottish singer-songwriter Nathan Evans. Before he became a viral sensation, Evans was a postman from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, whose life was dramatically altered by a simple TikTok video in late 2020. His powerful, acapella rendition of the Wellerman, beginning with the iconic line, became a digital rallying cry.

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Nathan Evans: A Quick Profile

• Full Name: Nathan Evans
• Occupation (Pre-Fame): Postman
• Born: 1994 (Airdrie, Scotland)
• Breakthrough Song: "Wellerman (Sea Shanty)"
• Viral Platform: TikTok (where he posted his first shanty in 2020)
• Record Deal: Signed with Polydor Records
• Peak Chart Position: No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart (for two weeks)
• Current Projects (2024/2025): Touring, performing at major maritime festivals (like the Gloucester Tall Ships Festival in 2024), and releasing new music that blends pop with traditional folk elements.
• Musical Style: Known for putting a "pop twist" on classic sea shanty music.

Evans’s success sparked the sea shanty TikTok trend, which saw millions of users creating duets, remixes, and covers, transforming the traditional folk music into a collaborative, global digital choir. This organic virality propelled the song to the top of music charts worldwide, a feat almost unimaginable for a 19th-century whaling ballad.

The Shocking True History of the Wellerman Shanty

To understand the depth of "There once was a ship that put to sea," one must sail back to its origins. The shanty, often titled "Soon May the Wellerman Come," is not a typical working song but a ballad-style folk song with a surprisingly specific, non-European origin.

1. A New Zealand Origin, Not European

Contrary to the common belief that all sea shanties hail from the Atlantic, the Wellerman is a New Zealand folk song dating back to the 1830s. It is believed to have been written by a teenage sailor or a shore whaler in the early days of New Zealand's whaling industry. This geographical distinction is crucial, as it places the song within the unique context of the Southern Ocean whaling trade.

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2. The Meaning of 'Wellerman' and the 'Billy of Tea'

The opening verse—"There once was a ship that put to sea, The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea"—introduces the vessel, but the key term is the chorus's promise: "Soon may the Wellerman come." The Wellermen were not fellow sailors; they were supply ships owned by the Weller brothers, a prominent whaling family in Otago, New Zealand. The Wellermen would bring essential provisions—like sugar, tea, and rum—to the isolated shore whalers. The promise of the Wellerman's arrival was the promise of relief and comfort, a deeply felt sentiment captured in the song's hopeful energy.

3. It’s a Ballad, Not a 'True' Shanty

While commonly called a sea shanty, the Wellerman is technically a forebitter or a ballad. True sea shanties were call-and-response working songs used to coordinate labor on a ship, such as hauling ropes or raising sails. The Wellerman, however, was sung during downtime, "forebitters" being songs sung around the fore bitts (posts) of the ship. This distinction explains its more complex, narrative structure and its enduring appeal as a storytelling piece, rather than just a rhythm for work.

The Modern Legacy: From TikTok to Global Tours (2024-2025 Updates)

The TikTok shanty trend of 2021 was not a fleeting moment but a catalyst for a lasting cultural shift. The phrase "There once was a ship that put to sea" became a meme, a hashtag, and a gateway for millions to discover the rich world of folk music. The song's simple, powerful melody and themes of perseverance and communal hope resonated deeply during a period of global isolation.

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4. The 2024-2025 Remix and Festival Circuit

The Wellerman continues to be remixed and reinterpreted, demonstrating its timeless adaptability. Recent updates show the song is moving beyond its initial acoustic revival:

• EDM and Remixes: Electronic Dance Music (EDM) artists, such as Trivecta, have created official remixes of Nathan Evans' version, which are still being played live in 2024, introducing the shanty to the contemporary festival circuit.
• Maritime Celebration: In early 2024, the song and Nathan Evans were celebrated by the Royal Navy, acknowledging its role in bringing maritime history to a new generation.
• New Music: Nathan Evans continues to tour and release new music, including his debut album, capitalizing on the momentum the shanty provided. His 2024 headlining spot at the Gloucester Tall Ships Festival confirms the shanty's enduring appeal in live settings.

5. The Global Collaborative Spirit

The true genius of the Wellerman's viral moment was its collaborative nature. The initial success was driven by the "duet" feature on TikTok, allowing people from all over the world to add their harmonies, instrumental parts, and creative twists. This global response mirrored the original spirit of the song itself—a collective voice finding hope in a shared experience. This digital collaboration involved thousands of musicians, from folk groups like The Longest Johns to bedroom producers, creating a vast, interconnected musical entity.

The Enduring Topical Authority of Sea Shanties

The story of the Wellerman is a masterclass in how historical content can become hyper-relevant in the digital age. The song's success has shone a light on the broader genre of maritime folk music, prompting new interest in other shanties and folk traditions. The entities and themes that have gained topical authority include: New Zealand whaling history, the Weller Brothers, Captain Ahab, Moby Dick, naval history, working songs, folk revival, and the power of harmony.

From a 19th-century New Zealand whaling ballad to a 2025 EDM remix, the journey of the song that begins "There once was a ship that put to sea" is a testament to the timeless human need for rhythm, storytelling, and a collective voice. The next time you hear the familiar refrain, remember you are participating in a tradition that has sailed across nearly two centuries and the entire globe.