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 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 folk 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
Leon Rosselson
Guitar chords for World Turned Upside Down
C Dm In 1649 to St George's Hill F A ragged band they called the diggers C Came to show the people's will Dm They defied the landlords,they defied the laws F C G C They were the dispossessed re-claiming what was theirs