FYI for landlubbers: "trim the sails" means change the angle of the sail vis-a-vis the wind. Has nothing to do with sewing. :-)

There's an apparently Australian song called "Gentle Annie" on a Bok/Muir/Trickett album I own, but it's quite different from what you post, Peter. I wonder if they're at all related.

You're mutton's very sweet, Gentle Annie
And I know it can't be found in New South Wales
But you'd better put a fence around the cabbage
Or they'll all be eaten up by the snails

(chorus)
So we'll say farewell, Gentle Annie
For you know with you I can no longer stay
(don't remember this line)
Till we meet you on another threshing day.

Songs found via www.google.com:

one by Stephen Foster

One attributed to "Makem & Clancy"

O..O
=o=