There's no need to reverse history just for the sake of a good song. All three versions in the DT are historically hysterical. Some believe that these verses were actually composed by British seamen to taunt their American counterparts with whom they had lively competition. There are some legitimate American versions also that more acurately reflect historical truth.

We're sailing down the river from Liverpool, (alt. From Boston town we're bound away)
Heave away, Santy Anno
Around Cape Horn to Frisco Bay
All on the plains of Mexico.

CH: So heave her up and away we'll go,
Heave away, Santy Anno;
Heave her up and away we'll go
All on the plains of Mexico.

She's a fast clipper ship and a bully good crew....
A down-east Yankee for her captain, too.....

There's plenty of gold so I've been told.....
There's plenty of gold so I've been told...

Back in the days of Forty-nine....
Those are the days of the good old times....

When Zachary Taylor gained the day....
He made poor Santy run away....

General Scott and Taylor, too....
Made poor Santy meet his Waterloo....

When I leave this ship, I will settle down....
And marry a girl named Sally Brown....

Santy Anno was a good old man....
Till he got into war with your Uncle Sam....

Bob Dylan has recorded "Days of 49"

rich r