And Mary, if you get an answer, please post it. I've checked a number of resources and have no response yet. I have several emails out. This is a terrific song, and it needs to be available for people to record. You might like to check with many of the people (some Mudcatters) who have recorded this song, although I think most of these people have known Dick personally and recorded the song before Dick died in January 2024:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%22old+figurehead+carver%22

It's not listed at the Harry Fox Agency, which is the easiest place for song licensing.
Harry Fox Agency: https://www.songfile.com/

Dick Swain's is the only melody I know for this song. Are there others? Dick was such a wise and organized person that it's hard for me to believe that he didn't make provisions for people to get rights to record this song. On the other hand, Dick was so humble that perhaps he didn't suspect that people might want to record his composition.

And I gotta say, I feel honored that I had the privilege of spending time with Dick a few times at the FSGW Getaway. What a magnificent man he was! It makes me smile to think of him, a True Renaissance Man.

And if you want to hear the song performed perfectly, listen to this performance by John Roberts, another True Renaissance Man I've had the privilege of knowing. Here's one John Roberts YouTube performance, but there are many: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcOUxZSyb-g