From the Athenaeum, 1903, p. 206, a brief cut reproduced of the page, so incomplete reference:

".....open book for all to read and understand, it contains many chanties, but seagoing readers will miss such old favourites as "Roll, Alabama, Roll," and "We'll Roll the Old Chariot Along." The work may be cordially recommended."

Google Books, see Gibb Sahib link of this fragment of a review of Lubbock's book, 13 Aug 10.

Others mention that this was a Civil War time song, but I have found no citations.
Colcord suggested that the song was based on "Roll the Cotton Down."

R. B. Nicol published a broadside in 1864, "The Fate of the Pirate Alabama," with the tune "The Heights of Alma" (Copy at American Memory, Gibson Bros. Printers, Washington, D. C.). No similarity in text.