Another related oil spill song was written by my mentor Bill Bonyun back in 1972, dealing with a tanker mishap in Portland Harbor.

OIL ON THE WATER

(Words by Bill Bonyun © 1972; tune traditional gospel "Walk on the Water")

On the stormy seas, the ship for to save,
They used to pour a little oil on the water;
To keep God's children from a watery grave,
They poured oil on the troubled water.

Chorus:

Oil on the water,
Oil on the water, children,
Oil on the water,
Pour oil on the troubled water.

But now great ships sail the seas so wide,
Carrying oil across the water;
300 thousand tons on the ocean tide,
Cry out danger to the water.

New Chorus:

Oil on the water,
Oil on the water, children,
Oil on the water,
Oil's gonna trouble the water.

Remember well, back in '72,
The Tamano spilled oil on the water;
The night was black, the pilot took her through,
Striking Soldier's Ledge in the water.*

Chorus:

Oil on the water,
Oil on the water, children,
Oil on the water,
Oil's gonna trouble the water.

100 thousand gallons spoiled Portland's shore,
Just a little oil on the water;
Santa Barbara's beaches are no more,
With a little more oil on the water.

Chorus:

Oil on the water,
Oil on the water, children,
Oil on the water,
Just a little oil on the water.

The wild Maine coast is a beautiful shore,
Standing on the cool clear water;
Full of jagged reefs, swift tides, fog and more,
Sank many ships on the water.

Chorus:

Oil on the water,
Oil on the water, children,
Oil on the water,
Oil's gonna trouble the water.

When a tanker on a Maine reef breaks apart,
300 thousand tons on the water;
Good bye birds, fish, home of our hearts,
From Cape Cod to Eastport waters.

Chorus:

Oil on the water,
Oil on the water, children,
Oil on the water,
Oil's gonna trouble the water.

* New verse by Charlie Ipcar, April 1991