I believe that the term Kanaka was (and I believe stil is in Oz) used to refer to South Sea Islanders BUT did the sailors who sang the shanties then realy use it in the same way? Surely it was passed down in the oral tradition originaly as well so who knows how it started or who meant what? And does it realy matter?

Another question - One of the lines goes something like "and in the (something) of a moonbeams kiss, we slept in St Laurence(sp?) bay" What does this mean?

Any ideas?

Cheers

Dave the Gnome