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, to dig and sow.
We come to work the land in common and to make the wastelands grow.
This earth divided we will make whole
So it will be a common treasury for all.”
“We work we eat together -we need no swords.
We will not bow to the masters nor pay rent unto the lords.
We are free; though we are poor.
Ye Diggers all stand up for glory, stand up now.”
“The sin of property we do disdain.
No man has any right to buy or sell this 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 and 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 the hired men and the troopers to wipe out the Diggers’ claim.
Tear down their cottages, destroy their corn.
They were dispersed only the vision lingers on.
Ye poor take courage.Ye rich take care!
This earth was made a common treasury for everyone to share:
All things in common, all people one,
They came in peace, the orders came to cut them down.
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, to dig and sow.
We come to work the land in common and to make the wastelands grow.
This earth divided we will make whole
So it will be a common treasury for all.”
“We work we eat together -we need no swords.
We will not bow to the masters nor pay rent unto the lords.
We are free; though we are poor.
Ye Diggers all stand up for glory, stand up now.”
“The sin of property we do disdain.
No man has any right to buy or sell this 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 and 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 the hired men and the troopers to wipe out the Diggers’ claim.
Tear down their cottages, destroy their corn.
They were dispersed only the vision lingers on.
Ye poor take courage.Ye rich take care!
This earth was made a common treasury for everyone to share:
All things in common, all people one,
They came in peace, the orders came to cut them down.
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