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 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