Posted by Duncan on September 12, 2011 at 04:39:13 user Duncan.
In Reply to: Swallows and Shanties posted by Jock on September 12, 2011 at 03:51:20:
I believe I'm right in saying that Ransome knew most of his sea shanties through literary connections and Bohemian London, and especially through John Masefield, who was something of an expert in sea songs.
Sea shanties, especially some of those that Ransome included like Drunken Sailor and Hanging Johnny, were considered rather too bawdy for early 20th century schoolrooms. However, I think it's reasonable to suggest that they were known by families, especially families with seafaring connections. So, I guess my suggested answer is that Commander Walker learnt them either at sea or from his own parents, rather than at school!
The Amazons must have known them from Captain Flint, who must have had some connections with John Masefield in his younger days!! It is rather fortunate that they known the same songs of course...