I think that Barry has quite correctly assessed the true essence of "bawdy" shanties. It is far too easy to forget that attitudes about language have evolved tremendously since the end of the 19th century. What collectors referred to as "rude," "coarse," or "unprintable filth," were often words and phrases that are now common parlance. The use of words such as "whore" or "pox" were unthinkable in those olden days. In fact, IMHO, the vast majority of "dirty songs" in current circulation are no earlier than c.1920, D'Urfey and Burns excepted.

Sailors, and other working people in past eras were very class conscious, and would not dream of uttering a rude word in earshot of their "betters' or of any lady. And while the crews on ships were all male, the presence of passengers, captains' wives and daughters, or even prudish captains, would require the clearly audible shanties to be free of foul language. There was also a lot less "noise pollution" and the singing of men hauling up and anchor or setting sail prior to leaving port could be heard throughout the town.

And as to the "Drunken Sailor," Terry says, "Although mostly used for windlass or capstan, Sir Walter Runciman tells me that he frequently sang it for 'hand-over-hand' hauling."

Just my thoughts -- Tom