So Jerry, I take it you got a copy of the unexpurgated shanties CD people were on about as being available at Mystic. (Oh yes, re-reading your post I see you admit it). But is it any good?
:-/

Cyril Tawney hass a "Ratcliffe Highway" with much the same story, and chorus:
To my rigging grey, come rattle my rigging down,
Come rattle my rigging down Ratcliffe Highway.