When I was building boats at The Baldwinsville Boatyard we had our own shanties that worked for the situation at hand. Not vey lyric and to these deck apes rhythymn was something for Catholics. Then I started with some few tunes that I'd heard, they decided I was nuts.

Shanties are work songs set to a place and an occupation. Pick a job, show the kids how its done and have them develop the song and rhythymn to do the work. Pulling lines or stacking hay, its the cadence thats important, not the words or meaning.

My kids grew up with the correct (original) lyrics and original meanings to every song I know. They aren't the least bit bent by it and they understand more about racism, intolerance, and real history than do most folks.

Regards

Don