Excuse me Mr. Finn but how do you know that? That seems like a pretty conclusive statement from a 21st century citizen. A few extra verses in the back pocket perhaps but stock and trade? It's folly to believe that verses were being made up on the spot on a regular basis. If you were to work at the capstan or at the halyards you would appreciate the need to have verses well prepared. It is very difficult to "wing it", almost impossibe.