World Turned Upside Down

(By Leon Rosselson)

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 came in peace, they said
To dig and sow
We came to work the land 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
Now everywhere the walls
Spring up at there 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.

From the men of property
The orders came
They sent 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.