Thanks, gasp, Barry! You came back just in time. Now maybe someone from The Johnson Girls will tune in and explain how they came up with their "anti-chantey" or nonesense explanation for "Running down to Cuba WITH a load of sugar." Quoting from their CD notes:

"sung by the sailors when they felt they were being made to do unnecessary or meaningless work. Instead of hauling on a line, they would stomp three times on deck. It was one of the rare instances when sailors voiced their grivances in active protest and within earshot of officiers."
I like the explanation but I'd like to know who should be credited with it.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble