Your musings Ged are more idiotic than those posted regarding "Spanish Ladies" in the song presented in this thread being Spanish Men of War.

Just for clarity it would help if before responding to what others have written people actually read what has been said.

The song that appears to be under discussion is the one that starts:

Farewell and adieu, to ye fair Spanish Ladies

In discussing this it should be remembered that there was no such thing that could be accurately referred to as "British Military" prior to 1707. When it comes to any "organisation" that could be referred to as a standing military force England had no such force prior to the middle of the 17th century and the English Civil War. The Royal Navy on the other hand has existed since the reign of King Alfred of Wessex.

As for England's relations with Spain, from the time that Henry VIII abandoned the Roman Catholic Faith in 1532-1534, Spain in either peace or war was hostile to England and the national interests of England.

Who ever made the claim that the song was used by pilots and masters of vessels as a navigational aid? Here Ged is what WAS said:

The song is a Royal Navy "forebitter" and one used to EDUCATE SAILORS serving in the Channel Fleet.

The song under discussion (Not variants thereof) is naval and could not possibly come from any time before the 18th century, the reasons for stating this are there for all to see in the words of the song.