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In 1649 |
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To St. George's Hill |
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A ragged band they called the Diggers |
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Came to show the people's will |
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They defied the landlords |
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They defied the laws |
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They were the dispossessed |
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Reclaiming what was theirs |
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"We come in peace," they said |
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"To dig and sow |
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We come to work the lands in common |
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And to make the waste grounds grow |
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This earth divided |
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We will make whole |
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So it will be |
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A common treasury for all |
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The sin of property |
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We do disdain |
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No man has any right to buy and sell |
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The earth for private gain |
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By theft and murder |
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They took the land |
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Now everywhere the walls |
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Spring up at their command |
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They make the laws |
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To chain us well |
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The clergy dazzle us with heaven |
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Or they damn us into hell |
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We will not worship |
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The God they serve |
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The God of greed who feeds the rich |
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While poor men starve |
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We work we eat together |
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We need no swords |
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We will not bow to the masters |
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Or pay rent to the lords |
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We are free men |
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Though we are poor |
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You Diggers all stand up for glory |
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Stand up now" |
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From the men of property |
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The orders came |
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They sent the hired men and troopers |
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To wipe out the Diggers' claim |
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Tear down their cottages |
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Destroy their corn |
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They were dispersed |
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But still the vision lingers on |
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You poor take courage |
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You rich take care |
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This earth was made a common treasury |
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For everyone to share |
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All things in common |
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All people one |
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We come in peace |
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The orders came to cut them down |
