Billy Bragg - The World Turned Upside Down

'The World Turned Upside Down' from Billy Bragg's 1987 compilation album 'Back To Basics', re-released by Cooking Vinyl in 1993.
The album collates the releases 'Life's A Riot With Spy Vs. Spy' and 'Brewing Up With Billy Bragg', as well as the 'Between The Wars' EP.
Buy 'Back To Basics' here:
iTunes: bit.ly/Nxv2uZ
Amazon (CD): amzn.to/O8LJP6
Amazon (Digital): amzn.to/RXVEaD

[@bristolcommunityarts5332]

Brilliant song, as relevant today as yesteryear

[@BritishBeachcomber]

I grew up near Saint George's Hill, where the diggers rebelled. I eventually bought a house nearby. But not in the posh part. Just an ordinary guy trying to make an honest living from the land. Billy Bragg opened my eyes to the truth about the rich and the poor.

[@The_platform763]

My history teacher played this as part of my lesson, and im so glad he did. It's good to see a more progressive attitude, especially in teachers. Freedom for all! ✊🏴

[@hoodiecollier5542]

A majority of education is dominated by progressive or leftist ideology. This isn’t something new.

[@Freedom_4_Assange]

struth

[@unspeakablemusick]

In 1649 Gerrard Winstanley and 14 others published a pamphlet [2] in which they called themselves the "True Levellers" to distinguish their ideas from those of the Levellers. Once they put their idea into practice and started to cultivate common land, both opponents and supporters began to call them "Diggers". The Diggers' beliefs were informed by Winstanley's writings which envisioned an ecological interrelationship between humans and nature.

[@philbutcher6959]

Winstanley would never have used the word 'ecological' Josh, he believed profoundly in God and God's word and the relationship was between Man and God's Creation - this is what the Commonwealth was.

[@allisonmackay3818]

@@philbutcher6959 it was the 1600's, of course he wouldn't. The point is he would have seen the land as a common gift to all, not a commodity to be used, soiled, and transformed into cash.

[@philbutcher6959]

@@allisonmackay3818 Agreed, which is the message of the Bible from beginning to end and why Winstanley arrived at that view (a lot of his works are theological treatise on the Bible). The problem (or 'point') we face is that the language now used is rooted in a materialist science and commerce ('ecology' was coined by lawyers, eugenicists and atheists to those ends). The natural world is not a machine and as long as we keep thinking it is, the deeper our problems will be. The body is starting to be seen as digital, for instance. 'Sustainability' is a commodifiers dream come true. It is confusing for some, but unless you tackle the language you use, you do not lift out of this logic.

[@allisonmackay3818]

@@philbutcher6959 see ya lost me here but I think both viewpoints agree that treating the earth as a sewer is just plain wrong.

[@kevintipcorn6787]

@@philbutcher6959 give me ecological sustainability over dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

[@stephenbier7992]

Rarely, if ever, does one find more inspiring lyrics

[@wanderinggoliard]

Kylie Minogue's version of locomotion must come in a close second.

[@enasallaleon7496]

@@wanderinggoliard hahaha

[@Mickmickster]

Wandering Goliard , oh here’s my thumbs up, take it.

[@luiginofrancioni7168]

Dick Gaughan???? Came first

[@kevintipcorn6787]

@@luiginofrancioni7168 his version was good, but the ;lyrics are by Leon Rosselson, the upload of Gaughan's performance on the BBC from '82 has the credit on screen.

[@SuperDeborahjohn]

This is SO relevant for our tines right now. Has never resonated so much as it does in 2023

[@redrizzla1989]

Im covering this at my Dads funeral. ❤❤ Nice one, Bill.

[@alicemorrison1518]

Beautiful. This is going to get me kicked out of the ukulele open mic but it will be worth it.

[@douglasparkinson4123]

if even the ukulele open mic is taken over by the rich, what hope is left?

[@alastairpaterson7946]

Nah, go for it! You may be surprised... hope you did it?

[@alicemorrison1518]

@@alastairpaterson7946 I DID IT!!! It was controversial but people really enjoyed it. Most had never heard the song before.

[@scottfraser7118]

🤣😘

[@yannigat2381]

Ironically St Georges hill is a very wealthy area near weybridge Surrey John Lennon used to live there , back in the 70s my dad did a lot of work there . For us of a certain age growing up in the UK I can very vividly remember the class divide that had been with us for a 1000 yes, Billy boy thanx mate

[@WaddedBliss]

I just said this very thing to a friend on Facebook.

[@jonathanjonathan7386]

even more ironically billy now loves in a mansion in non multicultural dorset...

[@andro7862]

"If you don't give us what is ours, We shan't beg, we'll take it back ourselves" -Croatian folk song "Padaj Silo i Nepravdo"

[@jd_jd_jd]

Respect. I like the sound of that. Would you know a version with UK lyrics. A singer or group name maybe. Thanks dude✌ Edit: Two yrs old comment, maybe someone else can point me.Thanks

[@Doctor_Who_Rocks]

And what does the title mean?

[@Doctor_Who_Rocks]

@Andro & @jd_jd_jd Well "The Internationale" has similar sentiments * and Billy Bragg's version says "Those who have taken, now they must give/". * e.g.: "Ere the thieves will out with their booty/And to all give a happier lot/Each at the forge must do his duty/And we'll strike the iron while it's hot!"

[@VioletRosesmith]

Their struggle was not in vain, it lives on in every socialist. "You poor take courage, you rich take care"

[@LasArmas_]

$ where mouth is?

[@brettc6132]

@@LasArmas_ mouth where 3==) is?

[@brettc6132]

Amen

[@biffmuncher23]

Proletarians of the world unite ✊️

[@toriidawdy8456]

Cheers from Texas ! It is only a matter of time even here

[@occasionalinterest1595]

Love Billy's singing. He's in the tradition of Seeger, Ochs and Guthrie. What a powerful version, but it was written by follow Brit revolutionary Leon Rosselson (Copyright 1981)

[@jd_jd_jd]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYi1oZ9oiJ6crc0: original

[@PaulRGauthier]

The song that kickstarted my radicalisation. Still the vision lingers on. On this day in 2024, in spite of the laws they make to chain us, the global working class stands with Palestine. The crimes of the men of property are laid bare for all to see. But do not lose heart. Together we can bring down an empire, and we shall. You rich take care.

[@londoncalling1757]

Your hero is rich now .. he has 2 million pound house on the coast an soaks up the rays in LA ..just saying good song though. ..

[@lukehauser1182]

Still love this song - our anthem when we defended Peoples Park in Berkeley in the 1990s - sung there by Funky Nixons, Maxina Ventura, and others - Viva!

[@lisamischke4994]

That's when I learned this song, I was housemates with Max at the time. I just looked it up because a friend posted an article about the idea of "the commons."

[@brianhooper2556]

Tears of unity! Love Billy Brag! x

[@ruthdixon7807]

leon rosselson's beautiful tribute to gerald winstanley and the diggers and their occupation of st george's hill. this fits perfectly into the bragg songbook

[@reprazenter1968]

Song says it all billy bragg is a genuine spokesman for the socialist, his views and ideas are so relevant 30+ years on. The Bard of Barking..... take a bow son you done Essex proud

[@corntbreet]

Wigan Diggers Festival 13th September 2014 and its free!!!

[@shirkerstruggle]

And it was brilliant last year- perfect round off for the summer

[@RoySmiles100]

One of the best cover versions ever...

[@jd_jd_jd]

Original:kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYi1oZ9oiJ6crc0

[@warweasel2832]

@@jd_jd_jd Thats the one we’re on…

[@jd_jd_jd]

​@@warweasel2832oh yeah😂😂

[@jd_jd_jd]

Ahem, original here:kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2qXe6OPZ8abfMk

[@BritishBeachcomber]

Bragg did not write a cover version. His lyrics were his own, based on the original ballad melody from 1646.

[@chrisparti]

Throughout the history of Britain, it has been conquered and ruled by the aristocracy who illegally stole the lands from the people, and charged them taxes to live on the land that their families had lived on for centuries. The descendants of the monarchy, the Lords and ladies, Barons and Baronesses, still receive rent from tenants and still own large swathes of land that their ancestors stole. They also have a say in how the country is run via the house of lords. If a drug dealer is caught, his ill gotten gains are confiscated... Why are these historic land owners allowed to keep theirs... Their lands should be seized and their wealth redistributed back into the economy..

[@stephenbier7992]

Best lyrics ever!

[@johnnyshaw4920]

1st song at ritz manchester October 20 2018. Legend . Life changing . Thanks Billy

[@EriksGarden]

Still so relevant!

[@jeffreyg4626]

Ahhh yeah. Billy has the urge to change the lyrics lately. I love the original lyrics. They need no changing. I was 21 when I first heard this. It's as relevent now as decades ago.

[@JH14FAN]

I’m 21 now, I first head this song last year, it’s bloody great.

[@opheliaismyname9180]

I was twelve, my history teacher used it as a teaching tool

[@jonathanjonathan7386]

i was 21 years when i heard this song, im 22 now but i wont be for long

[@moonlitme]

what a great song....

[@Missybongolio]

Boom! Back To The 80s!

[@KirkMeighooChannel]

You mean the 1680s, of course

[@iantodd1260]

Remember Christopher Hill,E.P Thompson,John Saville et al

[@5trezip23]

Billy Bragg is great!

[@feow33]

love it, and Dick Goughan's version, love billy's steely guitar sound

[@rifow1]

If people want to learn more about the Diggers and the Early Socialists you should read "The World Truned Upside Down" by Christopher Hill

[@Lemma01]

Hill, sadly, was a victim of his Marxism. The book reads almost as a parody these days, unfortunately.

[@barryfruchter2845]

Christopher Hill a victim of his Marxism? Brother, have you actually READ his work? Hill was one of the most independent and farseeing of English thinkers, in a league with the great Edward Thompson. This knee jerk 21st C anti-Marxism is ill considered and stupid.

[@shonagraham2752]

The diggers were NOT early socialists but early Christian Anarchists. Christian Anarchism puts humanity before any ideology the command to love each other takes priority over defending rapists like Assange that's the difference - You don't defend rape and child abuse for some imagined greater good because there is no greater good that involves rape and child abuse.

[@juddylovespizza]

@@shonagraham2752 rape is being used as a political tool by the elite. Think dude

[@Lemma01]

@@shonagraham2752 Totally agree on the Xtian Anarchy.

[@joeroberts2156]

If I ever need to charge the police en masse I want to listen to this first!

[@jimj4583]

A damn shame. Two of the greatest folk songs ever written and sung are The World Turned Upside Down and Between the Wars. So where are they ranked?

[@AR_EBK]

🖤

[@rainblaze.]

YOU POOR TAKE COURAGE, ......YOU RICH TAKE CARE !!!

[@machendave]

Written by Leon Rosselson.

[@joelfeatherstone6461]

Cool

[@thecellulontriptometer4166]

As an American, it is interesting that the same title is in the play Hamilton to represent the victory at Yorktown against the very same British government. And now we have another aristocratic "king" who wants a wall to spring up at his command. Maybe it's time for a modern digger movement here as well.

[@darlincommitme]

As an American, it really bothers me that Hamilton coopted the title, as our revolution was nothing like the true revolutionary vision of the 1650s, including the Diggers. "Men of property" still made sure to maintain control of the new American republic. The title comes form a quote by Henry Denne, a radical Baptist in the 1640s "I may... to many seem guilty of that crime which was laid against the Apostle, to turn the world upside down, and to set that in the bottom which others make the top of the building and to set that upon the roof which others lay for a foundation." These folks were Christian Social Anarchists not American republicans (small r, not referring to party).

[@VioletRosesmith]

@@darlincommitme Well said friend

[@jamesbellamy9328]

The title wasnt coopted though. The British played “The Workd Thrned Upside Down” (an english folk song) after the surrender dur at yorktonw

[@darlincommitme]

@@jamesbellamy9328 I didn't realize that part of the history, but in that case the Brits were still associating a relatively mild revolution of the propertied class with an earlier, and much more radical movement.

[@cindyw7008]

@@darlincommitme right. Alexander Hamilton was NO egalitarian, regardless of popularity of play. He was quite class-prejudiced.

[@johnmorgan4124]

✊🏴Smash all oppression.

[@atombe2135]

Tis a dream

[@raysrsharp1690]

I love the clergy line they dazzle us with heaven or they damn us into hell so true during them times

[@richiejr8756]

🎸🎸🎸🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊💥💥💥⚖✅

[@swellmap8658]

It is the exact same song , Both titles are used when referring to this song

[@paulkerrigan4051]

A reggae band the call The Diggers.....

[@patriciacollier128]

For ages I wondered what the lyrics of this song meant. Then I discovered Gerrard Winstanley and socialism ❤

[@matthewarmitage7149]

Couldn't agree with you more Mr. Bragg. "We are freemen tho we are poor"

[@markpatterson7943]

ASTOUNDING

[@feow33]

Chumbas versions, The Diggers Song...........'You noble diggers all, stand up now stand up now.' The World Turned Upside Down........'Through eating too much supper before I went to bed' The song Billy is singing was written by Leon Rosselson, not the exact same song.

[@yvonneparmenter9251]

We need a Gerald Winstanley now.

[@lesberkley3821]

We should know that the orders did not come to cut them down.

[@kresimirkurtic989]

🏴🙃🏴✊

[@DanCohoon]

You Rich, Take Care...

[@bigkuriboh3814]

Even though I disagree with the politics of this man on most issues, he does a great cover of this fantastic song :)

[@ubute2]

We need to vote out greed

[@charliemcpherson6299]

You can't. You upset the apple cart.

[@shawnmossop5133]

Upside down now

[@nickcs4488]

beware the bug/ lifes a riot prophecy

[@ElasticGiraffe]

This Georgist libertarian approves. 👍

[@shwingyshwing]

#feelthebern

[@feow33]

not the same songs though (chumba The Diggers Song or World turned upside down?)

[@alexroselle]

Acts 4:32-35

[@jayclouston7734]

Change a few words about and this could easily be the Occupy movement vs the Tories

[@VioletRosesmith]

Occupy was a liberal project not socialist, led by the same people who helped cause the current sorry state of inequality in the name of "Personal freedoms" over collective freedom, the two are not comparable

[@Tcoldsteel]

Monetised

[@reanuqueeves5510]

BERNIE 2020!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[@shawnmossop5133]

Stranger things have happened

[@stephengoldring5316]

Nothing changes poor get poorer the rich well you no the rest

[@shawnmossop5133]

We are armed we are army we are one All for one and one for.... that’s rite you don’t have rights not even 3 of them so let it go

[@douglasparkinson4123]

calm down shawn. form your sentences. please. what are you trying to say?

[@seekingabsolution1907]

You dont have rights either. Rights are taken, not given.

[@yannigat2381]

By the way I'm not 1000yrs old

[@battleb0ng420]

based

[@x123Scandalx]

Dick Gaughan's version is better but it's an amazing song

[@Maximillian-Tiberius-Rex]

+x123Scandalx I like Chumbawambas' version

[@billdoor5025]

good track but i prefer chumbawambas version

[@bimjim6794]

Remember when the left we're left ....there not anymore unfortunately

[@duncannok]

Ah when the left fought for fairness and served the common man. I fear this political system is rotten to the core.... apparently I'm far right now despite being a life long supporter of the labour party. No more. I side with none of these thieves.

[@jamesm.3829]

Bodied by King Charles

[@darrendprahm]

When Billy Bragg was left wing

[@StonefieldJim4]

Oh, for the days of singing this before a fight with my 'High Tory' stepdad. Great exercise... for both of us. ;-) Meanwhile, socialism is dead. Bragg's defence of the EU is nauseating, but typical.

[@mirror452]

Socialism will never die as long as Capitalism exists.

[@walkintodoorsable]

@@mirror452 Perfect response!

[@andycap1188]

@@mirror452 The problem is that we need to find a middle way but supposedly intelligent humans have no chance of pursuing that dream.

[@joedanger666]

@@andycap1188 Ain't no middle way when one of the options is to feed you into a meat grinder.

[@richardwhite3921]

Why in these little thoughts of ours... you cannot help yourselves to pop in something negative or a big swear word. If you haven't got anything nice to say what do you really want to say? Also you're stopping responsible parents letting their children loose on you tube, shame no?

[@alicewright4322]

youtube is a propaganda pipeline. it should not be marketed to kids. the kid's content is cynical and greedy. most of youtube besides videos like this is people trying to manipulate "fair use" to steal content and show you snippets of it, or people stealing disney and marvel IP to manipulate kids who don't know better. kids would be better off with records or with cable - you don't click the remote two times and end up hearing a neonazi on cable. sesame street respects its audience more than any youtube kid's content.