Kendall, Chantey, or Shanty both are generally acceptable. The French Chant or English Shant, they were very poor spellurs in them thar days. You are probably right about it being a derived form of French song or singer... after all, we use "Matelot" to describe a Royal Navy Seaman.

In South Australia, I was born,
Heave away, haul away,
In South Australia round Cape Horn
we're bound for South Australia,
Haul away you rolling king,
heave away haul away,
Haul away, oh hear me sing,
we're bound for South Australia

Cordially. Dave