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"The World Turned Upside Down" is an English ballad. It was first published on a broadside in the middle of the 1640s as a protest against the policies of Parliament relating to the celebration of Christmas. Parliament 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".
Contents
According to American legend, the British army band under Lord Cornwallis played this tune when they surrendered after the Siege of Yorktown (1781). Customarily, the British army would have played an American or French tune in tribute to the victors, but General Washington refused them the honours of war and insisted that they play "a British or German march." Although American history textbooks continue to propagate the legend, the story may have been apocryphal as it was added a century after the surrender.
Lyrics
The following is the text found in the Thomason Tracts (669. f. 10 (47)), dated 8 April 1646.
Recordings
This song was recorded by Maddy Prior with The Carnival Band on their album Hang Up Sorrow and Care.
A different song with the same title was written by Leon Rosselson, and made popular by Billy Bragg.
The song is referenced in the novel Burr by Gore Vidal.
This song is referenced in the Broadway Musical Hamilton in the song "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)"