Was/is singing sea shanties really banned on the ships of the British Navy? It seems an odd rule, especially on sailing ships where the rhythm helps a group of people to coordinate lowering or raising a heavy sail, for instance.

If we're to limit our songs to experience I will heretofore cautiously refrain from singing An Mhaighdean Mhara (or would if I could sing more than two lines any more without my voice collapsing).