The Windjammers book states that the chorus of "The Ward Line" refers to the stevedores not really getting anywhere on their wages.

I've also heard that the lines "Who's on the way, boys, who's on the way" and "Tell me where you going" may refer to questions asked of ships coming by, in terms of what's the ship's name and it's destination - in case of shipwrecks. Are there any mudcatters out there who have here a similar explanation?

Radriano