John-

What's being described as "halyard work" seems more like "stamp 'n' go" in which the crew members pull on the line as they themselves more astern; they would subsequently peel off from the line and move back up to the front. For lighter halyard work the crew members could pull on the line in place.

"What do You do with the Drunken Sailor" is the classic "stamp 'n' go" shanty.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble