curmudgeon
Uncle Stan says in his book right after the "camouflage" reference that readers with a bit of nouse could recreate the original. He also has said (I am told) that sailors sang about what they knew. The skipper, his bruiser, the doxies, rum and beer etc etc.

Jim Magean tells of the night they called Stan's bluff on the unexpurgated versions and they got him drunk and he still refused to sing with ladies present. I had the story confirmed by Mike Starkie (Bristol Shantymen & Westerliegh Wailers) who with Maggie runs the Dragon FC in Bristol Fri @ the Bridge Inn, (Shortwood area). Though he said it took three bottles of whisky and Maggie claims she was in the room at the time hiding behind tall men. They all confirm you just wouldn't sing them in most situations.

It has to be said that Stan only knew what he came into contact with though he quotes a lot of references. There must be many more shanties that never made it to the collecters ears. Eric Illot reckons he found a verse of a shanty in a rugby song. It was just too pat to be anything else.