Not a shanty, but a sea song and not certain if this is even a forebitter. Five verses are given in Frank Shay's Amrican Sea SOngs and Chanteys. The additional verses are by Tony Goodenough and Phill Money of the Shanty Crew.

Although Shay did not provide any background notes to go with the song, Stan Hugill believed that there was a children's nursery rhyme with a similar theme.