The World Turned Upside Down

[Verse 1]
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

[Verse 2]
We come in peace, they said, to dig and sow
We come to work the lands in common and to make the wasteland grow
This earth divided we will make whole
So it will be a common treasury for all

[Verse 3]
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 rise up at their command

[Verse 4]
They make the laws to serve them 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

[Verse 5]
We work, we eat together, we need no swords
We will not bow to 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

[Verse 6]
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, only the vision lingers on

[Verse 7]
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