World Turned Upside Down
Billy Bragg

In sixteen forty nine, to St George's Hill
a ragged band they called the Diggers came to show the
peoples' 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
wastegrounds 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 man 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