The mention of Dramtreeo (click here) helped me find the song. Their recordings are certainly worth a listen. This one is on a 1987 album called Waterside. I haven't heard this one, but the two Dramtreeo CD's I have are great.

SQUARE-RIGGED SHIP
by Jerry Cronin and Meade Stith
Jerry wrote this song from recollections of sailing in "Eagle," America's three-masted tall ship, as a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy. The chorus was added by Meade and Jerry to emphasize the hope of one day seeing such a ship berthed in southern Virginia harbors.

Have you ever sailed on a square-rigged ship
With a bone in her teeth?
Watched the wind as it played with the sails
As you flew on a broad reach?
Have you ever hauled a manila line
As you brought a ship to wear?
Listen me boys to the crashing waves
And I will take you there.

Well it's walk around to a capstan song
All shots are now on board
But leave the anchor ready to go as we head seaward
"Set the course" the captain cries
"As you reach the river's mouth
We'll sail across in the stream to the north
And return with the winds to the south."

To see the masts within your harbor
Takes you to a time not long ago
Suddenly the wind and you are sailing
With a hundred men around the Horn you'll go.

All hands on deck as the line squall blows
And the ship she comes about
"Hard a lee" the captain screams
"Lest we get knocked right down
Lay aloft on the fore and main
And furl the royal sails"
As you climb you curse that it's always the worst
In the North Atlantic gales.

To see the masts...

Have you ever sailed...