The earlier versions of this work song were described as "stamp and go" meaning they were used for hauling up the lighter sails, with the work crew literally scampering down the deck halyard in hand. The tempo of the song would have been appropriately fast.

Later the song was shifted to facilitate "weighing anchor" at the capstan, and approrpiately slowed down to more of a march rhytmn, which is the way most of us have heard the song sung.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble