Something about the Mystic Seaport & Princeton U. sheet music (see above) has been bugging me from day one and it finally just clicked. The former is a “two step for piano” the latter includes bass, bassoon, cello, clarinet &c &c &c. Sonofagun:

@Mystic Seaport:
“Prouty (Eddy Warren)
Spencer, Mass.
Hoist the John B. sails; two step for
piano, by Ed. W. Prouty. 19970
C 46639,Apr.25,1903; 2c.Apr.25,1903.”
[Catalogue of Title Entries of Books and Other Articles, Second Quarter, 1903 Whole no. 613 – April 2, 1903, p.203, p.452]

@Princeton U.*:
“Prouty music publishing co.,
Spencer, Mass.
Hoist the John B. sails; two-step for or-
chestra, by Ed. W. Prouty. 35363
C50186, June25,1903;2c.June25,1903
[Catalogue of Title Entries of Books and Other Articles, Third Quarter, 1903 Whole no. 626 – July 2, 1903, p.203]
*Unless there are more than these two?

Sure would be nice to have some 1903 lyrics to go with!