Gibb-

Thanks for chiming in.

Frank Bullen, an old shantyman, who was finally persuaded by friends to publish a book on the subject, SONGS OF SEA LABOUR, © 1914, was emphatic that only the first verse, and maybe the second, and the chorus were regular for any particular song. And that is why in his book he only provided the basic lyrics for some 40 shanties. The extraordinary value of the book though is the musical notation provided by his friend W. F. Arnold.

One still wishes he had included all the other verses he knew, or at least had donated them to a museum or library. Maybe he did! Anyone checked in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich lately? It is a treasure chest of such stuff, and descriptions of their archives are now available on-line.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble