Demurrage

"An allowance to a master of a ship for staying in a Port longer than the time first appointed."—Bailey's Dictionary, 25th edition, London, 1790.

Demurrage! What a harmless thing To simple Mr. Bailey. But he would find it has its sting When costs are mounting daily.

And lawyer-like a case I state— Carriage of goods by water And non-delivery of freight, To wit, Lord Ullin's daughter.

A buyer to a seller came Cried "Ship and do not tarry, These goods," and gave the vessel's name That was the goods to carry.

The seller did as he was told, The ship was late arriving, The buyer finds the law does hold— Though none of his contriving

The loss of time—that he must pay The railway for demurrage, For cars that had to idle lay; But buyer here take courage

And your revenge just quietly bide— By reason of congestion The cars can't reach the vessel's side, And though it's not in question

That Mr. Seller is to blame Or could do aught preventing, In this case he must pay the claim— So both are left lamenting!!!

Demurrage! Though a simple thing It seems to Mr. Bailey, I, with old ballad writers, sing Oh! Willow, willow waly.