Indeed, I think your right Richard -- it was not widely spread, outside of the ballad forms about the "Irish Emigrant" and the "Heave Away My Johnnies/We're All Bound to Go." Surprise is justified! But the general practice of swapping lyrics to chanties, of course, was widely spread. It points to the "core" of the chanty being its chorus. This is one of those interesting cases where a form that is quite English (I think?), has been combined with a chorus that is allegedly Black American or at least (I think so) of more modern "American" vintage.
"Heave Away My Johnnies" may have been the same deal. It's common solo theme became the Irish Emigrant/Tapscott ballad, but earlier attested form(s) have it (identified by its chorus, that is) as a Black steamboatman's song.