Greg. Sorry. I didn't mean to preach to the converted.

I think some shanties may have fallen out of use, or disappeared beneath the waves in an old shantymans head. It's all part of the 'never know what you've lost 'til it's gone' syndrome. Collecting and recording them didn't start 'til they were falling out of use.

Have you read Dana's TYBTM? I can recommend it. I was given a copy when I was a lad (a while ago!!) and couldn't make head nor tail of it so it sat on the shelf. Years later, it got metioned in folk circles, so went home dug it out. Damn near read the print off it since!

Guesses? Now that different! I'll see if I can find some.

regards

Brian