"Soon May the Wellerman Come", also known as "Wellerman" [c. 1860–70][3 is a well-known whaling song or sea shanty.[1][2] Originating in New Zealand, the song frequently refers to the "wellermen", supply ships owned by the Weller Brothers. The song was first published in a book of New Zealand folk songs in 1973. The song's content has drawn academic praise as "a genuine cultural expression by exploited workers for whom "sugar and tea and rum" provided a much-needed respite from the drudgery and toil of their daily lives". In 2020 and 2021, versions by Scottish musician Nathan Evans and British folk music group The Longest Johns became unlikely viral hits on the social media site TikTok, leading to a "social media craze" around "sea shanties".
This arrangement is well suited for a trombone quartet.