Leon Rosselson
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 land in common and to make the waste land grow.
This earth divided we will make whole,
So it can be a common treasury for all.
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 rise 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 men starve.
We work, we eat together, we need no swords,
We will not bow to 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 – only the vision lingers on.
You poor take courage, you rich take care:
The earth was made a common treasury for everyone to share.
All things in common, all people one,
We come in peace, the order came to cut them down.