Tin whistles , fifes , and flutes often carry the lead melody.
While originally sung a cappella to pace heavy labor, modern instrumental covers use a specific palette of "shipboard" instruments to evoke the maritime era. Common choices include: drunken_sailor_sea_shanty_instrumental
You can find a variety of styles across different platforms: Tin whistles , fifes , and flutes often
Fiddle (violin), banjo , guitar , and mandolin provide the driving, rhythmic energy. and mandolin provide the driving