The World Turned Upside Down
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- See Diggers' Song for the 1975 song.
The World Turned Upside Down is an English ballad. It was first published on a broadside in 1643 as a protest against the policies of Oliver Cromwell relating to the celebration of Christmas. Cromwell believed the holiday should be a solemn occasion, and outlawed traditional English Christmas celebrations. There are several versions of the lyrics. It is sung to the tune of another ballad, "When the King Enjoys His Own Again".
Tradition has it that when Lord Cornwallis surrendered at the Siege of Yorktown (1781) the British band played this tune, although there is no conclusive evidence to support this.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The World Turned Upside Down
- Other versions
- On a March Allegedly Played by the British at Yorktown
- Christmas abolished!
- Baen Books catalog link
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