I am currently teaching my 7-8 year ol dstudents "John Kananaka",an old whaling song, and they absolutely love it.
                                
John Kanakanaka
                                 - An "a capella" or minimal accompaniment whaling song

I thought I heard the old man say,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.
Tomorrow is our sailing day,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.
Too ri ay, oh too ri ay,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay

I thought I heard the bo'sun say
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.
There's work tomorrow but no work today,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.
Too ri ay, oh too ri ay,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.

The bo'son says before I'm through,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.
You'll hate your mother for having you,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.
Too ri ay, oh too ri ay,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.

There's rotten meat and weevily bread,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.
It's pump or drown the old man said,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.
Too ri ay, oh too ri ay,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.

She would not steer and she would not stay,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.
She shipped the water night and day,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.
Too ri ay, oh too ri ay,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.

It's one more pull and that will do,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.
For we're the bullies to pull her through,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.
Too ri ay, oh too ri ay,
John Kanakanaka too ri ay.