The "Lowlands" most likely refers historically to Holland (aka the Netherlands), one of the "Low Countries," but the song "The Lowlands of Holland" seems to refer instead to the Dutch East Indies ("where the sugar can is plentiful, and tea grows on each tree," in Paddy Tunney's version). Other songs mention the "old Viginia lowlands" and the "Lowland Sea" (near Holland, maybe). Then there's the fiddle tune, "Billy in the [unidentified] Lowlands" (or Low Ground).   

Davis & Tozer evidently prettified and rewrote many of their shanties.
They may be entirely responsible for the "maids."