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Levellers' Lines

from This Land is Our Land by Alan Dickson

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    This sampler EP showcases some of the songs from the Strains of Eden project. Devised and created by Scottish singer songwriter Alan Dickson it focuses on Scotland during the 18th and 19th centuries. Most of the songs in the series will appear for the first time. The project aims to make an important addition to the rich cultural heritage of Scottish life, and to raise awareness of this period in terms of informing debate about social and ecological concerns of today. For more information visit: www.strainsofeden.net

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about

In olden times broadside ballads were rarely printed with musical notation, as tunes were usually established favourites. This song was sung during the Galloway Levellers uprising in 1724, when thousands of tenants/cottars were displaced to make way for large cattle parks. This version is set to the 'Battle of Otterburn’. The song contrasts biblical figures with the lairds to express discontent.

lyrics

A generation like to this
Did never man behold,
I mean our great and mighty men
Who covetous are of gold.
Solomon could not well approve
The practice of their lives,
To oppress and to keep down the poor,
Their actions cut like knives.

Among great men where shall ye find
A godly man like Job,
He made the widows’ heart to sing,
But our lairds make them sob.
It is the duty of great men
The poor folks to defend,
But worldly interest moves our lairds,
They mind another end.

They from the hungry take the sheaf
And of them corn do crave,
They turn them out to ly in fields
Nor house nor shelter have.
The word says rob ye not the poor
Nor widow in distress,
Or else your wives shall widows be,

Your children fatherless.
For they that strain the poor man’s right
Of either lands or food,
The lord says he’ll debar their souls
From any spiritual good.
They are more forward to thrust out
Poor people from their land,
Than Israel was the heathen folks
When Moses did command.

The lords and lairds they drive us out
From maillings where we dwell,
The poor man says ‘Where shall we go?’
The rich says ‘Go to hell.’
These words they spoke in jest and mocks,
But by their works we know,
That if they have their herds and flocks,
They care not where we go.

Against the poor they still prevail
With all their wicked works,
And will enclose both moor and dale
And turn corn fields to parks.
Unto the man that wicked is
His sorrows shall abound;
For come the day of judgement
No mercy shall be found.

credits

from This Land is Our Land, track released March 25, 2015
Lyrics by James Charters, with last four lines by Alan Dickson.

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Alan Dickson Glasgow, UK

Scottish singer songwriter Alan Dickson was born in Leith but now based in Glasgow. Alan writes about life in Scotland and beyond, mainly of a personal and political nature.

Descended from a Leith docker, he remarks: "as life mimics art I'm just like my grandfather, only he used a rivet gun and I use a guitar."

Among his influences are Robert Burns, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Dick Gaughan. ... more

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