What *is* the obvious connection between a donkey engine and the work being done with the shanty which, for all we know, may be older than the engines?

Where *are* the facts indicating that "riding on a donkey" isn't just an amusing phrase that means what it says?

Why should *anyone* believe that shanty lyrics hold secret metaphors that no collectors noticed or that Stan Hugill, who devoted himself to the preservation of all shanty lore, didn't think worth explaining?

(Consider the recent claim that the line "Santy Anna won the day" is "really" a protest against slavery.)

Occam's Razor tells me that if sailors had wanted to sing a song about a donkey engine, they'd have done a lot better than this.

(PS: I'm looking now for the secret metaphors in this post. Will let you know what I find.)