Well guest I was friends with a sailor, ex Cape Horner who did exactly that when we were restoring a ship on Maui. He sang impromtui while we raised yards. He did & could "wing it" and he pleased & was quite proud to show it off. He sailed the Baltic trades as a kid before finishing up in the Cape Horn trade as an adult. If alive today he'd be around 107, George Herbert was his name. Cabin boy, deep water sailor, singer, musician, collector & master rigger.
My singing partner Neil Downey "wings it" & he quite good at it to & pretty funny to boot.

Guest: "If you were to work at the capstan or at the halyards you would appreciate the need to have verses well prepared"

are you assuming that I've never worked either & do you think you're talking to a salt water taffy? Don't be so smug, you're excused.

Hi Jerry, I'd have to say that you'd do fine using Archie's song at the halyards for that matter you could take the rock & roll out of the song "Rockin' Robin" & use that too & it'd would work.
Have a great time at Mystic, I'll miss you there.
Barry
Barry