Crossword Genius

Crude house tune of a salty nature (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shanty

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'crude house' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'tune of a salty nature' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for shanty that I've seen before include "Sailors' song - poor dwelling" , "Sea song; crude shack" , "Sea song - hovel" , "Crude dwelling - sailor's song" , "Ramshackle dwelling" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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