Don't know whether a picture might help more than a dictionary quote, this site will give you an idea how substantial a craft is meant by a bark (or barque). They were big if you are used to a dinghy, quite small if your frame of reference is an aircraft carrier.

Not sure where quiche would fit in, I tend to think that the smaller the boat the riskier, but then the longest voyages tended to involve larger craft. I wouldn't particularly care to tangle with any habitual sailor from the square-rig days, I reckon they must all have been pretty hard nuts.

As for being embarrassed to sing a song that includes reference to barques, well it wouldn't bother me, but then an ex morris-dancer has different standards from most where embarrassment is concerned.