Lighter ~~ First off, which melody ~~ we have at least 3 or 4 adduced already, some more "solemn & earnest",e.g. MacColl's, than others. I don't anyhow think the tone of this bit 'giggly & leering' at all, but rather an indication of the triumph of the human spirit in adversity; even if rough luck on the captain, who in any event must surely have realised, & reconciled himself to, what he was taking on.

Anyone else find this interpretation of the activities of the young woman from Liverpool "leering & giggly"? Or the overall tone of the song "solemn & earnest" for that matter?

~Michael~