We know that many shanties (and quite probably the song form itself) came from African-American and Caribbean tradition, but that doesn't make it OK to sing offensive verses in a modern context. I remember being appalled by 'Hog's Eye Man' when I first heard it sung in a folk club forty years ago and, even though I understand its origins better now, I certainly wouldn't be any more comfortable hearing an unexpurgated version today. I agree with posters who have suggested we consider how a person of colour in our audience might respond to this kind of language and, if we conclude that it would be offensive in that situation, consider again whether it's acceptable in any context.

As a performer I see no problem in changing the words of old songs for all kinds of aesthetic reasons. Research is another matter, of course. As for Sir Hugh, although I remember once hearing it performed together with a very powerful contextual introduction, it's still one of the Child Ballads I've chosen to avoid.