Hi Guys! I've been long away at sea.

Now look 'ee 'ere Chanteyranger me lad. You come on board my ship wi' one o' them there noo fangling tape recording things, and I'll pitch 'ee and it over the side. Bad magic is what it be, I says!

Just one point Chanteyranger, I never mentioned 'Rise Up Singing'. Perhaps you took my reference to the 'Definitive Book of Folk Songs' to mean that. I was just making the point that some people KNOW all the RIGHT versions, so they must own a copy of the folk song bible (whatever it's actually called). I just don't have a copy myself. Besides, I have other things on my mind when I 'rise up'.:-)

Greg. I think Chanteyranger is right that finding all of them is at least unlikely. I think the best that can be hoped for is vague references that could be possible. It's fine as a bit of fun, or as speculative possibilities. The danger is that the Song Police then start to take it seriously and use it as fact, which I am sure is not your intention.

My feeling is that a lot of shanties were lost in the (roughly) hundred years between the books of Dana and Hugill. Also, geographical location (Dana - America, Hugill - sailing out of UK) would have some effect on what songs and shanties they came across. Obviously, there would be common ground, but there would also be differences too. So, I think Chanteyrangers suggestion that Bob Walser and Stuart Frank may have something to add is worth considering.

cheers

Brian