Rule of Thumb
Written & arranged by Rachel Walker
Strings arranged by Rachel Walker
Musicians:
Rachel Walker (Vocals, Keys)
Aaron Jones (Guitar)
Duncan Lyall (Double Bass)
Katrina Lee (Violin)
Patsy Reid (Violin)
Rhoslyn Lawton (Viola)
Alice Allen (Cello)
Rachel’s Inspiration:
Eilidh MacDougall was related to the MacDougalls of Dunollie, Oban. Hired as a ‘Ladies Assistant’ in 1905 she worked for the Criminal Investigation department of the Metropolitan Police to take statements in sexual abuse cases. She championed the cause of abused women in the early 20th century, becoming the first police commissioner for women at the Metropolitan Police in London and eventually gaining an MBE for her work. She petitioned for the law to be changed so that abused and raped women did not have to wait in the same room as their attacker in court.
In 1782, a judge famously stated that a man may beat his wife so long as he uses a ‘rod not thicker than his thumb’. Known as ‘The Rule of Thumb’, this was considered common law throughout the 19th Century. During my research for this song, I was frustrated by how long it has taken for laws protecting women from abuse and harm to be put in place and upset by how often victims are let down by the people who are supposed to protect them. This song is a plea for change.
LYRICS
Flowers on the table blooming gently in the sun
Run, run the rivers run and down the rivers flow
Things can be forgiven but can never be undone
And still the bonnie, bonnie bluebells grow
Flowers on the windowsill and bruises on her face
Run, run the rivers run and down the rivers flow
Another quick reminder when she didn’t know her place
And still the bonnie, bonnie bluebells grow
Waiting for the tide to turn
Time moves on, will we ever learn
Flowers crushed and broken petals strewn across the floor
Run, run the rivers run and down the rivers flow
No one would believe just what goes on behind closed doors
Still the bonnie, bonnie bluebells grow
Rivers run and rivers flow
Bluebells blossom, bluebells grow
Round and round in circles still we go
Rivers flow and rivers run
Don’t forget the rule of thumb
Nothing’s changed we’re back where we begun
Waiting for the tide to turn
Time moves on, will we ever learn
Flowers on the pavement see the candles burning bright
Run, run the rivers run and down the rivers flow
Just another girl who won’t be coming home tonight
Still the bonnie, bonnie bluebells grow