The model for both Cyril Tawney's parody and the one dredged up (how appropriate!) from Ron's memory is DOWN BELOW (Sydney Carter). It was used fairly recently in a TV documentary on the guys who clear accumulated grease illegally dumped from fast-food shops into the drains of London.

Working in the bilges obviously brings out the same love/hate relationship at sea! Derek Gifford introduces the pump shanty "Leaky Ship" with the story of the old salt checking the bilges before signing on a ship. Foul-smelling bilges would indicate tight seams, while sweet-smelling bilges would indicate a "Leaky Ship", with correspondingly much more work on the pumps, the pumped-out foul water being continuously replaced by fresh sea-water through the cracks in the walls of the ship.

Any more down in the memory-bilges, Ron? Good to see you in the Steamer this evening.

Charley, I hadn't checked back here for a couple of days, but the "Range of the Buffalo" is the tune that's been running round my head this week. How did that happen? I just replayed your "Sea Traders" mp3 which is quite different.

Ross