Brian, my use of the word "pedant" was also ironical because I noticed and cared.

I doubt that more than a small percentage of Mudcatters would be disturbed by L & M's "improvements." The song performed right now is the thing, not how it more or less sounded 150 years ago.

Thanks for posting that revealing passage. L & M did record "Blow the Man Down," possibly the most frequently sung shanty, but they had Harry Corbett helping them out.

(He *really* sounded authentic. How'd he do it?)

Lloyd's preference for the modal and exotic shows what a romantic he was. As does "Folk Song in England," despite the Marxism.

I don't believe he ever significantly altered a tune, however. And his textual changes were always in the spirit of the song.

Needless to say, the contrast between L & M singing a shanty and a polished "balladeer" like Burl Ives doing the same would get anyone's attention.

As for the modal "Sally Brown," memory suggests that Short, Bullen, and Harlow had similar tunes - presumably West Indian. Gibb should know.