Conrad, the name or term 'Canny Sheels' turns up in another song (that has been milling in my head since I read the thread title but refuses to come up with a name).
Got it: Shoals of Herring by Ewan MacColl:
"And for canny Shields (as I spelt it) we'll soon be bearing".
What is it, and where does the expression refer to? (North) Shields? - Susanne