UPDATED 10 OCTOBER 2005


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 law
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 wastelands grow.
This earth divided, we will make whole.
So it can be a common treasury for all."

"The sin of property we do disdain.
No man has the right to buy and sell the earth for private gain.
By theft and murder, they steal the land;
Now everywhere the walls rise up at their command."

"They make the laws that chain us well;
The clergy dazzle us with heaven or they damn us into hell.
We will not worship the gods they serve:
The god of greed that 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 order came:
They sent the hired men and troopers to wipe out the Digger's claim.
"Tear down their cottages. Destroy their corn!"
They were dispersed but still the vision carries 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 order came to cut them down.


To download, "control-click" and "Save this link as...".
You PC folks can just right click and "Save target as" or
something demonic like that.
LEON ROSSELSON (the original)
CLANDESTINE (acapella)
BILLY BRAGG
OYSTERBAND
DICK GAUGHAN
KARAN CASEY (Windows Media Player required)
CHUMBAWAMBA
ATTILLA the STOCKBROKER
NOTTINGHAM CLARION CHOIR
GREG ARTZNER, of Magpie; from the Rise Up Singing! teaching recordings
JOHN MCCUTCHEON
NEWSeanchai and the Unity Squad
The Diggers & Levellers from the English Civil War.

The Nottingham Clarion Choir

I know there are other versions (Roy Bailey to name one), send 'em to me if you have them!

If I'm missing a version (and I know I am) and you have one, please e-mail me.