Mr. Greenhaus, you guess correctly. As the Menhaden chantymen
showed us, their work songs are actually sung during little
'rest' periods in between leaning over the side and hauling
up the nets. I've not heard the North Neck guys, but the Menhaden
lads would 'jabber' various encouragements and derisions in between
the singing. So 'Johnson Girls' done authentically comes
out as:

Johnson girls is a mighty fine girls
WALK ALONG, HONEY WALK ALONG
   [haul and jabber]
Johnson girls is a mighty fine girls
WALK ALONG, HONEY WALK ALONG
   [haul and jabber]
Great big legs... (etc)

Charley, your favorite at Kitchen Little is also mine. Extra
hot sauce, please.