Now have you any direct evidence that specific songs were carried over from Africa via African Americans in an unbroken chain or is that not what you are saying?

Steve: No.you.are.neither.African.nor.American. Put the Black gentlemen down and back away slowly.

Now that you know you are a freshman to your own nautical work song tradition (Western & British) – you, of all people, I shouldn't have to tell where to begin the learning process – in your own tradition – Western & British.

Aeneas and Purcell lived 2000+ years apart but the latter couldn't pick up a European dictionary that didn't describe the Sailor's Chorus with the exact same word Aeneas himself used for his sailors' chorus. There are no West Africans or Americans or Afro-Americans involved. They are still mired in the Iron and Stone Ages respectively. They don't have alphabets as yet much less a unionized maritime industry.

Only after you know your own traditions backwards and forwards will you be able to defend yourself from the American Afro-centric smoke getting blown up your arse about where you & Purcel & Aeneas are coming from.