Forebitter style rowing songs (and Hollywood) are capable of changing tempo, ergo hull speed, in a single beat, a la Ben Hur.

A traditional work song would require several hull lengths and many dozen strokes worth of accelerando for a vessel of any size. And it would be accomplished by a change first in song tone. One strokes harder (or softer) in order to row faster (or slower) over time.

The lead voice would be a command voice (oratory, proceleusmatic &c&c) not a conversational tone for most singers. Too, the forebitter chorus is neither captive nor subordinate.

Mind, if one is just singing for a good time… do it that way.