"The title repeated line, "Just as the tide was flowing" is not just a throwaway or there to make up the poetry, but a precise reference to the time of day - essential to those who made their living from the sea"   That may have been his opinion, but it reminds me of the naiviety of the upper thames collector, who thought the line" I must climb a tall tree and rob a wild birds nest" reflected the singers ornithological ignorance, and did not understand its sexual significance.
As far as I am concerned, the phrase "Just as the tide was flowing", has beautiful sexual connotations.
Ewan, was entitled to his opinion, in my opinion he was missing the point of the song.