From the recording FULL CIRCLE
Lyrics
OIL AND WATER
Gary O’Driscoll © 2026
CHAPEAU ROUGE MUSIC
[Verse 1]
At the Traveller’s Joy by the harbour wall
Two men would spar from spring till fall
With pints held high and voices loud
They'd make their case to a tavern crowd
[Verse 2]
Old Tom believed the Bible’s word
The truest thing he'd ever heard
He said the Lord above would steer
The hearts of men who held Him dear
[Verse 3]
Young Will said power must belong
To common folk who suffered long
“No throne nor church should rule a man
The world is shaped by human hand.”
[Chorus]
Oil and water can't combine
In harmony like bread and wine
Oil and water will always be
Different as the land and sea
[Verse 4]
Tom said faith must lead the land
Or greed would take the upper hand
“Without the fear of heaven’s call
A darker night would surely fall.”
[Verse 5]
They’d argue long by lantern flame
Yet neither man cast any blame
For though their worlds were far apart
Each knew the other’s stubborn heart
[Verse 6]
One winter night a storm came down
And waves ran wild upon the town
Their boats broke loose along the quay
And men were lost to the raging sea
[Chorus]
Oil and water can't combine
In harmony like bread and wine
Oil and water will always be
Different as the land and sea
[Verse 7]
Tom grabbed rope and Jack a line
They hauled those boats through sleet and brine
No word of church nor crown nor king
Neither man said anything
[Verse 9]
When the storm had passed they all took stock
Five were dead and they lost their dock
But two men stood above the fray
And stand their ground to this very day.
[Chorus]
Oil and water can't combine
In harmony like bread and wine
Oil and water will always be
Different as the land and sea
[Verse 10
To the Traveller’s Joy they come for fun
The older folk and the younger ones
And two men share a drink alone
And whisper words to all unknown
[Chorus]
Oil and water can't combine
In harmony like bread and wine
Oil and water will always be
Different as the land and sea