“The World Turned Upside Down” Sheet Music (pdf).
“The World Turned Upside Down” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Lyrics: Leon Rosselson.
Tune: Leon Rosselson.
In Sixteen-Forty-Nine, to Saint 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 wastegrounds 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 one 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.”
“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 folk, 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 Digger’s claim.
“Tear down their cottages! Destroy their corn!”
They were dispersed: only their vision lingers on.
“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!”
They came in peace; the orders came to cut them down.
They came in peace; the orders came to cut them down.