Hugill suggests it may be from a French 'Challot' [sp], a West Indian word for mulatto. I'd suggest (or at least hope) that the sad love lines ('leave you' 'not deceive you' etc) are to a girl & not a boardinghouse master.

MMario: "boardinghouse master" used as a synonym for "pimp" Yes, but indirectly I think - as in "one who is like a pimp." Any boardinghouse master seeking sailor trade had damn well better have a full-service establishment. See, eg, "Liverpool Judies."

Barry: Gad, yes. On my third pass I found I'd marked off ALL of them as essential. :)

In a different thread - asking for oldest sea songs - I can't find it and I wanted to reread it, too -- Barry mentioned two sea song records at Lib of Cong Folklife/Broadcast & Recorded Sound Division. I have many of them (including, I'm proud to say, most of a dozen of the old red vinyl LPs but no 78 rpm's - although the first time I heard them was at U Penn on 78s) But I don't have the sea songs. Look good. The internet info has moved from gopher to the web and can be found at Clicky This gives all the titles & also track lists. All, as promised are still available but on cassette now. They've been trying to convince Rounder to take over the whole schmere for ages but no. For now you get the ordering info at that site then phone or mail.

This is a vital resource & there's endless good stuff.