"The World Turned Upside Down" lyrics - BILLY BRAGG

In 1649
To St. George's Hill
A ragged band they called the Diggers
Came to show the people's will

They defied the landlords
They defied the laws
They were the dispossessed
Reclaiming what was theirs

"We come in peace," they said
"To dig and sow
We come to work the lands in common
And to make the waste grounds grow

This earth divided
We will make whole
So it will be
A common treasury for all

The sin of property
We do disdain
No man has any right to buy and sell
The earth for private gain

By theft and murder
They took the land
Now everywhere the walls
Spring up at their command

They make the laws
To chain us well
The clergy dazzle us with heaven
Or they damn us into hell

We will not worship
The God they serve
The God of greed who feeds the rich
While poor men starve

We work we eat together
We need no swords
We will not bow to the masters
Or pay rent to the lords

We are free men
Though we are poor
You Diggers all stand up for glory
Stand up now"

From the men of property
The orders came
They sent the hired men and troopers
To wipe out the Diggers' claim

Tear down their cottages
Destroy their corn
They were dispersed
But still the vision lingers on

You poor take courage
You rich take care
This earth was made a common treasury
For everyone to share

All things in common
All people one
We come in peace
The orders came to cut them down