Les from Hull -

You wrote that "any mention of women in shanties is probably sexual in nature. Such is the way with coarse, rough sailormen deprived of female company".

While I'm sure that is a valid point, it still seems to me that these shanty songs expressed the stereotyping of 'exotic' women and objectifying them in ways that would not have been considered acceptable were these women White.

Also, given the comments I've read here and elsewhere, I'm not sure how far we have come from those un-enlightened times.

And yes, I'm aware that folk songs are sung for their entertainment value, but I agree with your statement that "Perhaps a few words of explanation would also help".