No text is given, but "Roll, Alabama, roll" is mentioned as an "old favourite" sea shanty (along with "We'll roll the old chariot along") in the _Athenaeum_ (London) (Feb. 14, 1903), p. 206.

That seems to be the earliest unquestionable attestation of the shanty's existence.

Colcord published her father's three stanzas in 1924.

The ship was constructed at the shipyard of William and John [not "Jonathan"] Laird & Co. in Birkenhead. Before christening she was referred to by her keel number, "290" (not "292").