Like the "bulgine," "Liza" (aka - Li'l Liza Jane) was a recurring theme in both American minstrelsy and nautical song nonsense. Lots of references on Mudcat.

Oddly enough, I think Blow the Man Down also made a bit of a pop culture comeback not too long before this one came out.

PS: "Blow" was also half of minstrely's "tableau" - "tab blow" routine. A Good deal less popular than the Liza bit though.