We were told the story about the little girl too and how she passed before it was finished. Her mom then finnished the song for her but it sounded plausable to me cause of the way we sing the end of the song. we sing the last verse like this.

barges i would like to g with you
i would like to sail the ocean blue
barges have you treasures in your hold
do you fight with pirates brave and bold.

out of my window looking in the night
i can see the barges flickering light
now is the time when i will soon be gone
and ill sail with barges on and on

barges i am sailing now with you
i am sailing now the ocean blue
barges you have treasures in your hold
and you fight with pirates brave and bold.

For me it gave the song a peaceful ending and it made sense to me that the sick girl story could be true. btu seeing as how a lot of others have this song but not this part I think we might have added this part but i happen to like the ending.