Tom-

"Mervyn didn't write the Farewell Shanty. The words were found by Alan Molyneux in a book in Plymouth Library - he set it to music."

Thanks for that update. That's the first time I've heard of anyone other than Mervyn associated with the origin of this song. Of course I'm now wondering what the title of the book was in the Plymouth Library. Anyone have a clue?

Charley Noble