Shanties are not so much learned as they are absorbed, like so much salt spray.

On more than one instance, thirsty travellers have entered the Press Room during a shanty session and either have fled instantly, or been taken in by the singing.   In short order, some have found themselves joining in with no prior knowledge or understanding of the genre. Even the regular bartender and waitress have their favorites that they sing along to. This is a universal music.

Both Frank Shay, "Amercan Sea Songs and Chanteys" and David Bone, "Capstan Bars'" provide intimations of learning in the forewards, introductions, acknowledgements, et al.

Where the first shanymen got their songs is open to speculation.Certainly the influence of the West Indies cannot be downplayed. Somewhere n my electronic archives, I have ac   West Indians leading shanties on a Brtitish naval vessel which date to about the time Dana was writing, but I can't find it. I sent it to Barry Finn, so maybe he can provide this information.

In early days, before the great expansion of sea commerce that came in the 19th century, most ships would draw a reasonable number of the crew from the home port. Since these men would be familiar with local songs, it would be relatively easy to adapt a well known song to a tedious task, heaving at pumps or capstan. "Billy Boy" is mostly known as a Newcastle folk song, but it's the first shanty in Terry's collection.

It would also be a serious mistake to assume that Jack was illiterate. Most of the old shellbacks did atend church for a spell and thus had the basics of readig, ie., the Bible, and singing hymns to written music.

These are but my personal observations and I hope to read other conjectures on the topic - Tom Hall