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William Ogilvie

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

This song is based on William Ogilvie’s influential and historic land reform treatise 'Essay on Rights of Property in Land', published anonymously in 1782. At the time Ogilvie was writing, landlordism was rampant, with the Highland Clearances in full swing. Ogilvie warned of the dangers of progress and said poverty was the result of peoples’ ignorance of their rights to owning the land.

lyrics

Welcome to the world of William Ogilvie
He gave his heart and soul so we could be free
He said the land is our birthright, belongs to you and me
But ignorance of this was the cause of much poverty

He said the Judges, the Clergy were partners in crime
By sleight of hand they seized the land, saying landlords were divine
They were paid and sworn in not to question sacred writ
But if you ask me says William they’re freebootin’ half wits

Chorus
Give it up for William Ogilvie
He said landlordism’s legal robbery
Give it up for William Ogilvie
He said the land belongs to the whole community

This reign of law and order was instilled in peoples’ minds
They preached from the pulpit, just pay your rent and fines
This doctrine of private ownership of controlling all the land
Is an heinous existence and an awful bloody scam

We got dishonesty, corruption and strife and misery
Enslavement, oppression, for all the world to see
The choice was to starve at home or leave for foreign shores
If you ask me says William don’t stand for this no more

Chorus

So come all you people and have no other gods
Neither Dukes nor Earls or those land grabbing Lords
Don’t cringe under the tyranny of their established rules
For we’re the natural heirs not those ignorant fools

If you want peace and justice here’s what you have to do
Show the strength of your conviction and raise your point of view
Tell them you want land reform demand your own birthright
And if they don’t listen says William it’s time to pick a fight

Chorus

credits

from This Land is Our Land, track released March 25, 2015
Lyrics and tune 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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