A new twist on an old rationalization. From the notes to _Rolling Home_, a nice CD by Pat Sheridan and Brasy:

"The soldiers in their red tunics, often referred to as lobsters, were, we understand, the focus point in some of these shanties as well as targets in battle: Go down you red roses, as they shot down the red tunics."

This leads me to picture American merchant seamen shantying during the battle of, who knows, New Orleans, "as they shot down the red tunics."

Someone will some day claim that this shows the existence of the shanty during the War of 1812 - or even the American Revolution. It certainly could tie in with the Johnny Horton song, which does mention "pretty scarlet coats." Don't try to deny it.