The World Turned Upside Down

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 land in common and to make the wasteland grow

This earth divided we will make whole

So it can be a common treasury for all

The sin of property we do disdain

No man has any right to buy or sell the earth for private gain

By theft and murder they took the land

Now everywhere the walls rise 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 folk starve

We work, we eat together, we need no swords

We will not bow to masters or pay rent to the lords

We are free though we are poor

You Diggers all stand up for glory, stand up now

From the men of property the order came

They sent their hired men and troopers to wipe out the Diggers' claim

Tear down their cottages, destroy their corn

They were dispersed, only the vision lingers on

You poor take courage, you rich take care

The earth was made a common treasury for everyone to share

All things in common, all people one

We come in peace - the order came to cut them down