Thanks, everyone. It sounds like the jury's still out on the meaning, since it looks like there are different theories abut it. Sean - thanks for responding. I should have known I first heard of the symbolic conext of it on the Mudcat. I'm interested in exploring your explanation more. It sounds like the most plausible to me, based on what I know of chanteys in general. Karolina - I welcome and value your input here. I hear that Poland is a great place to hear chanteys, and that there is a HUGE chantey festival there. Maybe you could start a thread on the festival when the date draws nearer? I think there'd be alot of interest among mudcatters. Kendall - chanteys being a form of free expression for merchant seamen has only one taboo - they generally couldn't sing verses openingly critical of the master within earshot of him or the mates. It had to be couched in symbolism, or sung aloft in a "bunting" chantey (an example being Paddy Doyle's boots - "The dirty old man's on the poop!") Lots of complaints about general conditions aboard ships in those songs, though. Thanks again, all.