Jeeez I love this thread, this Mudcat !!!

Jack Campin and Dave Ro, you have brought back ancient memories to me. I first read of the sea shanty "Spanish Ladies" in Swallows and Amazon also (Arthur Ransome) I had no idea of the tune that John (was it ?) whistled and was delighted when, some time later, on the BBC LIGHT PROGRAMME Radio there was a Sea Shanty programme and it usually featured the late , great, CYRIL TAWNEY. He was frequently joined in his Choruses by a Devonshire group called the LOO SHANTYMEN (Are they still in existence I wonder ?) and , if memory serves me correctly, it was they who introduced the programme by singing that mighty sea song "SPANISH LADIES".They would also sing it to end each week's offering , their voices in natural harmony fading in over the sign off and fading out. It was a programme that I will never forget, from some 65 years ago.
I was delighted to hear Cyril in person at the Cobh Heritage Centre some years back and be able to tell him of the effect his singing had had on me so many years back. He was there with our own LIAM CLANCY.