Bert, I'm glad you mentioned Santiano. Here's what I wrote about it in my book (as a footnote to one of the many delightful versions of this song):

According to The Book of Lists, General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna (1795?-1876) was one of the 5 worst generals in military history. In the Mexican-American War alone (1846-1848), he lost every battle he ever fought! Early in his career, Sam Houston's men caught him in his underwear, trying to escape from the bed of a woman while his troops were being decimated by an attack that came during their siesta!! A dozen years later, he fled a losing battle in the Mexican American War so quickly that he left behind his famous wooden leg, which the Americans found. Soon, folks all over America were wearing little wooden-leg pins on their lapels to "honor" this event. However, this ignoble ending has not stopped us from totally reversing history for the sake of a good sea shanty. In this version, Santy beats Taylor. After all, his name is so much more musical, that he deserves the glory for that reason alone.