This song seems related; at least it concerns Barney going out to sea and leaving his sweetheart alone, and the metrical structure is the same.

From the sheet music at The Library of Congress American Memory Collection:


MY BARNEY IS OUT ON THE SEA
Words, Arthur N. French. Music, C. A. White.
Boston: White, Smith & Company, 1876.

1. My Barney is out on the ocean.
His good ship is sailing away,
Where tempests and wild waves' commotion
Endanger him day after day.
How sad was the hour we parted!
With kisses he whispered to me,
"Oh darling one, don't be sad-hearted.
'Tis soon I'll return unto thee.
Oh darling one, don't be sad-hearted.
'Tis soon I'll return unto thee."

CHORUS: My Barney is out on the sea.
My Barney is out on the sea.
Oh, when will he come back to me?
When will he come back to me?

2. My Barney is out on the ocean,
But Heaven will keep him I know,
For this is my pray'r of devotion
Each day that he roams to and fro.
In slumber's soft hour he is near me,
And visions of sweetest delight.
They linger to comfort and cheer me,
Awhile thro' the lone weary night.
They linger to comfort and cheer me
Awhile thro' the lone weary day.

3. My Barney is out on the ocean.
How slowly the days wander by!
My poor little heart with commotion,
Turns ever to him with a sigh.
Yet ever with sweetest foreknowing,
I dream of the bright days to be,
When balmiest gales softly blowing,
Shall bring him back safely to me;
When balmiest gales softly blowing,
Shall bring him back safely to me.

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