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 ground 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 

Mow 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 feed the rich 

While poor folk starve 

We work we eat together 

We need no swords 

We will not bow to the masters 

Or pay rent to the lords 

Still 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