When constabulary duty's to be done...

When the drunkard shows no sign of where the drink went
He nobly bids all alchohol farewell
When the juvenile delinquent to the clink went
He hung his mother's picture in his cell
When the cardshark's finished wiping out his brother
He buys a rattle for his little son
Taking one consideration with another
A policeman's lot is not a happy one
When constabulary duties to be done, to be done
A policeman's lot is not a happy one.

In the late 16th century Edinburgh was the recognised capital of Scotland and as such was the home of the Scottish Parliament and the Courts of Justice. As a result, the city attracted many people of different religious and political persuasions who were constantly at odds with each other and who frequently resorted to fighting and rioting. The difficult task of maintaining law and order fell on the magistrates of the town council and on the bailies, who, in addition to their normal civic duties, had special responsibility for the various quarters or districts into which the town was divided. Extensive powers were given to them to organise burgesses to keep watch and ward over the various districts to ensure that householders and their families were generally safe and were specifically protected from "nightwalkers and vagabonds"

This state of unrest and lawlessness did not improve following the union of the crowns of Scotland and England in 1603, and in 1611 the Privy Council of James I passed an act to suppress disorders in the city of Edinburgh. In August, following an instruction to the magistrates and council, constables were elected to serve throughout the burgh and in September of that year sixteen "Orders and Injunctions for Constables" were printed. These orders were mainly directed at keeping and preserving the King's Majesty`s peace, and the constables were given powers to enlist the support of neighbours to prevent disorder and to arrest suspected criminals.

I am dining with them tonight. Let's hope there will not be too much unrest and lawlessness!