Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Billy Bragg
Canonical path: /billy-bragg/the-world-turned-upside-down
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
The World Turned Upside Down
Read The World Turned Upside Down lyrics by Billy Bragg on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
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Curated by Ethan Walker
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Lyrics
The World Turned Upside Down
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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 come in peace they said
To dig and sow
We come to work the lands 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
Mow 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 feed 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
Still we are free
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
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Who performs "The World Turned Upside Down"?
Billy Bragg performs "The World Turned Upside Down", and this lyric page sits inside the Billy Bragg catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The World Turned Upside Down"?
Yes. The related section below points to Blood Of The Lamb and California Starts with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Billy Bragg?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Billy Bragg's lyric pages.
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