It would seem OP, and many others, believe an oral history is not a history, to include all the human baggage that comes with any history.

The stuff one does not care for, or never even heard of, is all part of one and the same reality. And that will be the majority of it for all of us. No perspective, no history. That's the deal. Take or leave it.

Every 'sea shanty' ever sung in a folk club or on a record, while not exactly ...reduced to polite 'pianoforte' pieces to be played in Victorian drawing rooms* and to be safely taught in schools..., was nevertheless a kind of "forebitter," not so much frozen in time, rather existing on its own as part of history. They never were shanties. Neither stitch-counting historically correct; nor living and evolving; nor any other kind of shanty.

Shanties are long gone and have been for a century. Yet 'they' still manage to entertain to millions today. Anyone sorting the muck from the brass has their work cut out for them and, like most history, it ain't getting any easier as the years roll on by.

*Consumer choice: Historically speaking, early 19th century Anglo sailors were quite fond of their regency dance music turned anchor/capstan/windlass song. Just don't call them shanties and you're good.