Thanks, Jon
Just about everything we've written here was in Stuart Frank's book 'Jolly Sailors Bold'. Never Mind. I've got all of the versions together now. A hypothetical ur version shouldn't be too difficult as versions are mostly very stable.

The minor tune. Anyone else noted similarities with the tune for Corpus Christi Carol (Bells of Paradise) and the early tune for Hunting the Wren (Milder to Malder)?

The 'I've been a seacook' line is in the whaleman's rewrite.