Ahoy folks. Less folk musician [except in kitchens and galleys] and more nautical re-enactor. I was wondering if folks here could help source the origin of the chorus - Tom Lewis has claimed to have found it cited as "traditional" in the book "Send Down a Dove" by Charles MacHardy which was first published in 1968, but... IS it "traditional?" And if so, to when? Or does it only go back to 1968?

Any help tracing it is much appreciated.