I was doing a Folk club in Barnstaple Devon england.The organiser was JohnParker,who had a Shanty group called Hearts of Oak,Before I did the gig I called at his house and he showed me abook of C fox smith poems,AS IOPENED THE BOOK IT FELL OPEN ON SAILORTOWN.It must have been divine inspiration, as I looked at the words a tune came.It was wonderful.I would say it was 1987,THE FIRST TIME I performed it in public was Shrewsbury folk festival I ONLY DID THE FESTIVAL ONCE, SO IF THERE ARE ANY RECORDS OF PERFORMERS FOR THAT FESTIVAL THAT WOULD SORT IT.jim mageaan was there,he might be able to verify it.