The World turned upside down

In sixteen forty nine to St George's Hill

a ragged band they called the Diggers came to show the peoples' 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 wastegrounds 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 man 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

 

[An alternative last line popular with anarchists today is

they came in peace, next time we'll bring a gun]