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The Longest Johns - Wellerman Chords

ChordsAm, Dm, E, F, C, A
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

AmThereoncewasashipthatputtosea,andtheDmnameoftheshipwastheAmBillyofTea
TheAmwindsblewhard,herbowdippeddown,oEblow,mybullyboys,Amblow
FSoonmaytheCWellermancome,toDmbringussugarandAmteaandrum
FOneday,whentheCtonguingisdone,we’llEtakeourleaveandAmgo
SheAmhadnotbeentwoweeksfromshore,whenDmdownonheraAmrightwhalebore
TheAmcaptaincalledallhandsandswore,he’dEtakethatwhaleinAmtow
FSoonmaytheCWellermancome,toDmbringussugarandAmteaandrum
FOneday,whentheCtonguingisdone,we’llEtakeourleaveandAmgo
AmBeforetheboathadhitthewater,theDmwhale’stailcameAmupandcaughther
AllAmhandstotheside,harpoonedandfoughther,whenEshediveddownAmbelow
FSoonmaytheCWellermancome,toDmbringussugarandAmteaandrum
FOneday,whentheCtonguingisdone,we’llEtakeourleaveandAmgo
NoAmlinewascut,nowhalewasfreed;theDmCaptain’smindwasAmnotofgreed
ButAmhebelongedtothewhaleman’screed;sheEtooktheshipinAmtow
FSoonmaytheCWellermancome,toDmbringussugarandAmteaandrum
FOneday,whentheCtonguingisdone,we’llEtakeourleaveandAmgo
ForAmfortydays,orevenmore,theDmlinewentslack,thenAmtightoncemore
AllAmboatswerelost(therewereonlyfour),butEstillthatwhaledidAmgo
FSoonmaytheCWellermancome,toDmbringussugarandAmteaandrum
FOneday,whentheCtonguingisdone,we’llEtakeourleaveandAmgo
AsAmfarasI’veheard,thefight’sstillon;theDmline’snotcutandtheAmwhale’snotgone
TheAmWellermanmakeshisregularcall,toDmencouragetheCaptain,Amcrew,andall
FSoonmaytheCWellermancome,toDmbringussugarandAmteaandrum
FOneday,whentheCtonguingisdone,we’llEtakeourleaveandAmgoA
FSoonmaytheCWellermancome,toDmbringussugarandAmteaandrum
FOneday,whentheCtonguingisdone,we’llEtakeourleaveandAmgo
AlbumBetween Wind And Water
GenresFolk
Year2018
KeyAm
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Wellerman on Guitar (Step-by-step)

The Longest Johns - Wellerman on guitar requires 6 chords and 8 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Wellerman uses these transitions most often: Dm → Am (14), F → C (14), and Am → F (13). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with Am - Dm chord transition.

1. Am → Dm chord transition

Here's how to move from Am to Dm:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 7 times.

Am to Dm

2. Am → E chord transition

Switching from Am to E:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse, played 5 times.

Am to E

3. Am → F chord transition

Here's how to move from Am to F:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 3.
  4. Place pinky on D string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 13 times.

Am to F

4. F → C chord transition

Switching from F to C:

  1. While playing F, lift your pinky from D string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on B string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
  4. Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 14 times.

F to C

5. C → Dm chord transition

Here's how to move from C to Dm:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 7 times.

6. C → E chord transition

To move from C to E:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on D string fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse, played 7 times.

7. Am → A chord transition

To move from Am to A:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on D string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse.

8. A → F chord transition

Here's how to move from A to F:

  1. Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Keep middle finger on G string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger from B string fret 2 to A string fret 3.
  4. Place pinky on D string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Wellerman.

  • Wellerman includes 81 chord transitions, 8 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Wellerman contains 2 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Wellerman connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After Am, the most likely next chords across Chordier are F (26%), G (21%), and C (16%).
    • Am → F: 26%
    • Am → Dm: 7%
    After Dm, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (18%), G (16%), and Am (14%).
    • Dm → Am: 14%