The World Turned Upside Down

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Song written by Leon Rosselson and covered by Billy Bragg about the Diggers, a group of religious and political dissidents in 17th century England associated with agrarian socialism. Chords bolded above the lyrics, further notes on the music and arrangement below.

E

In 1649

                           B

To St. George’s Hill

                 A

A ragged band they called the Diggers

                E

Came to show the people’s will

They defied the landlords

                             B

They defied the law

                         A

They were the dispossessed

      B                              E

Reclaiming what was theirs.

Chorus:

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. 

(instrumental)

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 spring up at their command

They make the laws 

To chain us well

They try to dazzle us with heaven

Or they damn us into hell

We will not worship 

The god they serve

The god of greed that feeds the rich while people starve

(instrumental)

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

Though we are poor

You Diggers all stand up for glory stand up now. 

(chorus) 

(solos)

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

(chorus)

(instrumental)

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.

(chorus)

Notes on the music:

We will be using the same chord progression throughout including verses, chorus, and solos. 

Typical 8 bars:

E     B     A     E

1xxx2xxx3xxx4xxx

        B     A B  E

1xxx2xxx3xxx4xxx

Instrumental melody 8 bars same as verses/chorus, solos 16 bars same chord progression, as many as needed. 

Links:

More about the Diggers here.

Leon Rosselson version here.