How many rock songs are about the origins of British policing? Ian delves into history and must read a great deal since Bow Street Runners is about the law enforcement officers of the Bow Street Magistrates' Court in the City of Westminster; and, he lived in a house owned by an actual Bow Street Runner. The Runners have been called London's first professional police force. The force was founded in 1749 by magistrate Henry Fielding. Ironically, Bow Street Runners was the public's nickname for the officers although the officers did not use the term themselves and considered it derogatory. The song is about a plea by the victims of the time who needed help against the lawlessness of criminals and needing protection. These are the forerunners of the Bobbies.
Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishers, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me
Bow Street Runners
(Ian Hunter)
"London Town is crumblin' down" said the 'Penny Post' reporter
"Something's gotta be done 'bout the murderin' scum, there ain't no law and order"
Woh-oh-oh
In the gas-lit alleys 'n' the gin-soaked bars, linin' the streets of the ghetto
In the whorehouses on the open roads, death lurks in the shadows
Stop thief, stop thief, half a million people are running scared
Stop thief, stop thief, and all we need's a hero
To stand up to the gangs, and I know such a man
Blind beak 'n' the bow street runners
chasin' them scallywags offa the street
blind beak 'n' the bow street runners
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
He can smell a rat a mile away, even if he can't see then
Sixty thieves roll in their graves, wrestling with their demons
(I said oh-oh-oh)
(I said oh-oh-oh)
Never force the hand of a highwayman, he'll put a bullet right through ya
Relieve you of your valuables, and sell them right back to ya
Stop thief, stop thief, stop in the name of the law
Stop thief, stop thief, it's just a matter of time
Before we see you hanging off the triple tree, courtesy of
Blind beak 'n' the bow street runners
chasin' those neanderthals offa the street
Blind beak 'n' the bow street runners
keepin' the peace,
keepin' the peace,
keepin' the peace,
keepin' the peace,
keepin' the peace,
keepin' the peace,
keepin' the peace,
feelin' the heat
There's a man outside with a horse and cart, the mob screams out for vengeance
A couple of pints at the Hare 'n' Hounds, then it's off to the neck extension
Stop thief, stop thief, they ain't gonna let ya get away
stop thief, stop thief, you shoulda known better
Than to tangle with the boys in blue, and the man they call
Blind beak 'n' the bow street runners
chasin' those criminals offa the street
Blind beak 'n' the bow street runners
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace
keepin' the peace...
Ian Hunter and The Rant Band CD: "Fingers Crossed"
Sleeve and track listing
Proper Records PRPCD137
Review
Ian's 2016 album Fingers Crossed shows that he's as sharp an observer and incisive commentator as ever. The run of form that started with 2001's Rant shows no sign of abating, with this album being up there with his very best.
Ian hasn't been this good since the 70's, with killer album after killer album. No, I'm not an "I praise everything" type of reviewer - this is the honest truth. At 77 years of age (oh, yes!) Ian shows no sign of slowing down.
Dandy is the standout track, his homage to David Bowie who passed away back in January 2016. See how many Bowie tracks he manages to weave into the lyrics! Clever, very clever.
Mid-tempo rockers such as White House, Bow Street Runners and Stranded In Reality sit alongside slower, more thoughtful songs such as Morpheus and the title track Fingers Crossed.
Ian has always had his feet planted firmly in reality, as on You Can't Live In The Past he notes "You can never go back, those days are gone". On the closing track, the rockabilly Long Time he offers advice to younger wannabes "Be careful what you wish for" as he notes "Take a chance on destiny, you'll never know what you find".
Sheers class. And as essential as ever.
| Bow Street Runners | 4:57 | Originally released on Fingers Crossed. |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_Street_Runners
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Bow-Street-Runners/
https://academic.oup.com/book/34655?login=false