Gibb et al,
The Roud Index is being expanded in all sorts of directions, with more information and search tools on all of the songs. One small part of this is my Master Titles addition, which consists of giving a common well-known title to each ballad/folksong. So far all it covers is folksong collected in England in multiple versions, but for various reasons I have hitherto avoided doing the same for chanties. As your book/research demonstrates chanties need to be classified quite differently to ballad-type folksongs. Instead of using text, in many cases it makes more sense to use tune and chorus to identify individual chanties.

I notice you have already started using a brief master title in your writing which will be helpful. Most chanties have obvious master titles 'Whiskey, Johnny' and are clearly identified but where there are grey areas I will need some help, such as with the various 'Stormalong' types.

I wonder if on the long 'Advent' thread I could put proposed Master Titles up for discussion.