I have an old songbook (yellow, brittle, falling apart) that has these verses

Does this sound correct, Pete?

We hove our ship to with the wind from sou'west boys,
We hove our ship to, deep soundings to take.
'Twas forty five fathoms with a white sandy bottom
So we squared our mainyard and up-channel did make.

Then the signal was made for the grand fleet to anchor,
And all in the Downs that night for to lie,
Let go your shank painter, let go your cat stopper!
Haul up your clewgarnets, let tacks and sheets fly!

alice