With regard to historic accuracy the Alabama was not "fitted with guns and men" in Liverpool., although the song is frequently sung that way. There was a temporary crew shipped to sail her to the Azores (the Western Isles) where another ship joined her with the guns, some Confederate officers and other crew members. Some of the original crew were also recruited for the cruise but not many.

I was always bemused that the African stevedores who put together "THERE COME ALIBAMA" seemed under the impression that the ship was coming to free them. But I'm not sure where I ran across that background info. They certainly were caught up in the general excitement generated by the raider's brief visit.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble