Alan Burbidge was my husband - this is the official published version of the lyrics [no offence to Snuffy]

Chorus - We'll grease her up, we'll oil her round,
         To keep the crank and the big shaft turning -
         She'd steam the very world around
         If we but had the coal for burning.

You shellbacks all, attend my song,
For the days you know will soon be ending -
Your time at sea will not be long
Since we got the screw and the compound engine.

No pulley haul,no flowing sails,
No shantyman his chorus bawling,
But funnel, smoke and a siren's wail
And a donkey-winch on a wire rope hauling.

The bearings and the crossheads chant,
Their songs in iron chorus blending -
The crank throws and the motion dance
Their stately pavane, never ending.

You bucko mates must mend your ways,
For the stokers all are primed for trouble -
If a fireman you should kick or haze,
He'll belt you with slice-bar or shovel.

He works below in sweat and grime,
That stokehold hot as Hades can be -
And the seaman's trade changed for all time
By a vessel named the Aaron Manby.

Delighted to know that people are singing it!   Louise.