Thanks to all those who posted suggestions as to how i might find these lyrics - I have been able to get them through the DT under Johnny Come Down To Hilo - it's exactly the same Tune as Martin Simpson's version : John's Gone to Hilo.

This was my first experience of using the Mudcat and I was really impressed with the friendly and helpful response - what a great way to communicate.

The Stan Hugill book sounds really interesting. Thanks to Mark for the alternative shanty possibilities.Martin S had said this was a shanty but I didn't know it was a topsail halyard shanty!

For any guitarists Martin Simpson plays a nice accompaniment in an altered tuning he calls Gsus4 over 4 -CGDGCD from the 6th string to the 1st string.

Many thanks, Maurice, London, England