This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
Now the old king is dead, long live the king
One minute, I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman Cavalry choirs are singin'
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason, I can't explain
Once you'd gone, there was never, never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
It was a wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh, who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason, I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman Cavalry choirs are singin'
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
Now the old king is dead, long live the king
One minute, I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman Cavalry choirs are singin'
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason, I can't explain
Once you'd gone, there was never, never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
It was a wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh, who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason, I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman Cavalry choirs are singin'
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Lyrics submitted by zsub, edited by mike, christianbro9p, otac0n, stevenbol1, Adatasha, KeroseneFire, wolfkirby, maddie2325, Conbear1026
Viva La Vida Lyrics as written by Guy Rupert Berryman Christopher A. J. Martin
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Given that this album seems to revolve around the theme of celebrating life (Viva la Vida) and revolutions (the cover art depicts the French Revolution by Delacroix), I think this song embodies the nature of revolutions. The lyrics to this song seem to refer to revolutions in history thus far, about kings, queens, emperors, and other rulers who fall from high places after revolutions from below. The French Revolution, the Chinese Revolution, the Russian Revolution, and the British Civil Wars in the 17th century all come to mind when I hear these lyrics. Each revolution overthrew a powerful central government, with a powerful head of state in a violent and bloody fashion (think "heads on a silver plate"). These lyrics are telling their stories from the point of view of the fallen leader, in a very poetic way, but the message is essentially "Oh, who would ever want to be king?" Because revolutions have occurred over and over in history, and they will continue to occur, but such is the story of life and of humanity.
In a way, the sound of this album is a "revolution" from previous works of Coldplay. The inclusion of instrumentals and choir-like vocals is quite a departure from their previous works. So, to me, this song is about celebrating revolutions of every form -- political, economic, social, and especially artistic. Because without revolutions, there would be no progress. And this fourth album is part of Coldplay's progress.
Wow, this reply is so long after the original posting, i don't know if anyone will read it, but I agree with "the7keys" interpretation. Being a christian, I would love to believe the song is about a christian perspective, but there are too many things that don't really add up, the main one being that if the author is coming from a christian point of view, it would seem he would think that St Peter would call his name. I will say, I don't know that much about the underlying beliefs of the Catholic faith and if the author could be potentially guilt ridden, thinking he has been so prideful and dishonest that although he now sees the error of his ways he feels there is no redemption for him, but given that there are other "old world" references and influence in this son, it does seem that it would make sense that a rock song is talking about revolutions, especially given our political times world wide that revolutions and world wide changes are often a topic of public discussion. It makes me wonder if the metaphor is for america in that our society has often been compared with the Roman Empire and has often been predicted to have a similar fate ahead. With the illustrations of many great governmental falls, I wonder if the writer is saying it as sort of a "warning" to the World's greatest modern day empire.<br /> <br /> Interesting. I love how the poetry and literature of it bring about thought emotion and discussion! Isn't that, after all, what art is supposed to do!
I think you have the best explanation.<br /> <br /> I also think that one explanation is that a king's life, given the time, revolved around the church. "Just a puppet on an lonely string" tells me that a king's life is controlled. The time we are speaking of was by the church.<br /> <br /> As for St. Peter. I believe it is "I know St. Peter will call my name" just because all are forgiven.
It is interesting to note that in the video at 33:3 in the background you will see Libery Leading the People. The dried paint texture of the video is also a nice touch. The bell (Liberty) was also a nice touch.
1848 comes to mind here, very strongly. Read Droz. Read Marx.
Well actually the cover art has to do with the July Revolution, which is -a- French Revoltion, but not the French Revolution.
I was going to ask why not the American Revolution, but then I realised that didn't really overthrow the king as is appropriate for this metaphor, We just seperated and formed aro own nation after winning the war.
@the7keys you are wrong, this song is about the feeling of a big cock gliding to the back of your throat.
Reading again the lyrics of Viva La Vida just after ending a book about Louis XVI (Louis Vincent - and Stephan Zweig with Marie-Antointte) makes everything clear to me: THE SONG IS OBVIOUSLY HIM! And let me tell you why:
Well after reading this part, we are sure about the fact that we're talking about someone who used to rule, a king. But that's too obvious and I didn't mention this part to say this, because what that catched my intention is the "now in the morning, I sleep alone". That's Louis XVI in his last moments, captured in "La conciergerie", where he spends his last days before the trial. He's seperated from his Family, (the Queen and their 3 children). He is alone and he's thinking about what he had become.
This part refers to when Louis XVI had become a king when his grand father Louis XV, died with the smallpox. He was waiting with Marie-Antoinette in a parlor (the heir apparent wasn't alowed to enter the room of the dying king in order not to get affected. He was going to be king) when the courtiers came running to them and screaming all over the castle after hearing that the king passed away in his chamber : "The old king is dead! Long live the king". That's when Louis XVI fell on his knees and said his famous prayer: "Dear God, guide and protect us. We are too young to reign."
For me it refers to when Louis XVI became a king, and started to reign and discovered how bad was the situation of the country, he was trapped. He became the king [of a nation in decadence]. That bringed absolute power (restaured at the time of Louis XIV), but also a lot of responsibilities, and a hope of change from the people of France, who were living in misery for so long and to who God bringed a new young king full of good intent. (Louis XVI ruled at 19 years old, and succeed at his grand father who was well known for debauchery, and also for his negligence of the affairs of the country in his last years. His death was like a relief for the people at that time.)
"My missionaries in a foreign field" Louis XVI was recognized to be a learned king: he was reading a lot, and passioned by the geography and the maritime navigation. He was sending missionaries to discover and to study foreign countries.
"For some reason I can't explain Once you go there was never, never an honest word That was when I ruled the world"
"Shattered windows and the sound of drums People couldn't believe what I'd become"
They say that the history is always written by the winners, and that's true. After the revolution, the king was falsely remembered to be "weak, without personnality, dominated by his woman, stupid, fat, a good for nothing" (and even to be a tyrant and a despot which was hard to imagine, all the people who knew truely the king knew that he could has been anything but a tyrant), this is how the revolutionnaries wanted the king to be remembered, all in order to save and defend the Revolution. But the truth is that Louis XVI loved his people to the much that he didn't want to spill blood even when the times got hard, he believed in a revolution (but a monarchic one, that's why somehow, he led the revolution). That's maybe the fault I reproche him: he could had spilled blood and mainted the order of the country but he didn't, that was the safetest option for him but he didn't want to do it, but badly the times never forgive the powerful nations that wants to get weakned. Blood had to be spilled at that time anyway, so he payed with his own, he was heard to say when about to get guillotined, 'People of France, I am innocent, I forgive those who are responsible for my death. I pray to God that the blood spilled here never falls on France or on you, my unfortunate people ...' When he tried to speak to the crowd and say these words, he was cut short by a roll on the drums.) I've said all of this just to talk about the part when CD say "Once you go, there was never, never an honest word " it's like the king is disappointed to see how misunderstood he was : There's no recognition of all the efforts he tried to do (and yes, unlike all what was commonly thought, he did! He was encouraging the science at his time but most of all, it's thanks to him that the united state got the independence I don't wanna talk about this cause I'm not gonna stop if I start haha), everybody is pointing him, they are lying about him, he feels betrayed by his people.
This part confirms more than ever what I have said: this song is REALLY about Louis XVI. We're talking about "revolutionaries" "head", but most of all (which is for me a great way to end the song!), the "who would ever want to be king?" part which refers the "label" they gave to Louis: "Louis XVI, l'homme qui ne voulait pas être roi" (Louis XVI, the man who didn't want to be a king).
Good lyrics are good lyrics.
i cant read it its too long
Thank you for sharing this! It's definitely the best explanation of one my favourite songs of all time. I love history and I love Coldplay so it's awesome how well the lyrics capture the story of King Louis XVI.
First time ever to comment, but just had to say that your explanation of the possible meanings is remarkably well thought out and expressed! I am a College History Professor, and agree with your postulations. You would have earned an "A" for this effort ;-)<br />
OMG! I have to register an account to say thank you to you! Your analysis is very sensible and inspires me to understand the song in a much clearer way!!
@MalMouk Whoa I never really under stoodthis song before. I was listening to it today over and over, and it occored to me "This sounds like a king who changed for the better of his people and he ended up in a revulution..." I played this song in my orcastra consert and since it has been my absolute favorite!!!! Thank you so much for explaining what this song means!!!!!
@MalMouk This an amazing interpretation. Thanks so much!!! A++
@MalMouk Wow! Your adequate explanation of the literal interpretation of these befamed lyrics has inspired me to think more deeply about the messages and stories being portrayed in songs, books, and movies. I just opened an account on this website. It looks pretty great. I will say that I believe there is still more to be said about the implications of these lyrics. I'm just not sure what those are yet.
@MalMouk <br /> you've worked hard....awesome explaination
@MalMouk Thank you
@MalMouk Wow thank you so much, this is more accurable than the one I read upstairs... I've always wondered who this song was talking about and that "revolutionaries wait, for my head on a silver plate" make me think that was someone really important that I've already known from history.
@MalMouk i definitely agree! Never realized until now
@MalMouk OH MY LANDS thank you for this. I recently watched a documentary about Louis XVI and wondered if this song was about him. He was a misunderstood man, who didn't want to be king, was "forced" into the role because of tradition and expectation, and wound up being compelled to side with the aristocracy, which is what made the folks despise him and want to kill him as a figure head....quite sad really.
Ok, so I agree that this song can be taken literally, but I also believe it could stand for something else. Here's my idea:
Literal- A king who felt like he was at the top of the world for one second, but the next everyone turned on him. He is on the run from the people who used to support him, but turned against him from making one mistake, or for doing something they didn't agree with. Who would want to be king? If you screw up once, then its like everyone turns on you. The people who build you up will break you down.
Symbolism- Someone who is really popular and well liked. Someone who felt like they had it all, when suddenly, they crumble. This person messes up, or doe something wrong, and now they realize that their "kingdom" wasn't even real, and all of these people who used to like them wouldn't always believe in them. It was all really just almost like a trick.
Eh , just my interpretation. No hate:)
You know - I tend to agree with you too - I played this song in my sociology class and all the different interpretations were interesting. Some students thought it was about a personal tragedy. I feel like it was about someone who had it all as you say and they 'crumbled'. He somehow misunderstood his world and feels cheated/fooled or blames himself but yes I also see the historical factors in this great song too and the relationship between power / fulfillment and loss.
@carley99 YES FINALLY SOMEONE WHO THINKS OF IT THAT WAY, cause like yea i get the revolutions part cause its what its based out of, but like to me it has a different feel, like something personal to me, where everything just falls apart and you can't do anything about it
There is a TON of spiritual imagery in this song. One that particularly caught my eye was when he refers to his castles standing "upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand". I think this possibly is a reference to the sermon on the mount where Jesus speaks of a wise man building is house on a rock while the foolish man builds his house on the sand, only to be washed away. I am not sure on most of the meaning of this song but I do think that there is a link between total power and foolishness, contrasted with the loss of power (dependence on something else?) and gaining wisdom of your situation.
'Pillars of salt' probably refers to the story of Sodom and Gomorah. God wanted to save Lot (Abram's nephew) and his family, so he told him to take his two daughters and his wife to flee from the city before it burned. God told them not to look back even once. Lot's wife, however, didn't listen to God and, as they fled, she turned to look back at the burning city. For breaking God's command she was instantly turned into a pillar of salt.
No, both of you are wrong. Mentioning that his castle was built on pillars of salt and sand only establishes the inevitable collapse of the speaker's power. Notice how he mentioned that the walls were closed on him? He's saying that he's trapped in that situation now and there's nothing that he can do, as everything falls in around him.
@tgbeinlich As trump would say: Wrong.
@tgbeinlich As trump would say: Wrong.
@tgbeinlich As trump would say: Wrong.
@tgbeinlich The INCARNATION of Jesus, who used to rule the world, seas would rise when He gave the word, but in the flesh / incarnation he became a poor lonely servant, sleeping alone, sweeping the streets he used to own.
This song is about awakening to the wisdom that absolute power not only is a fantasy played out by our ego based on fear but it also destroys us and the world around us. Nevertheless this destruction on all fronts is important to awaken us to an all-inclusive, more elevated vibration of love. It uses figurative wording that talks of Christian crusaders, impossing their beliefs in a violent way to a world foreign to them. How the illusion is not only isolating but it can also be hypnotizing, acknowledging the "dark" within ALL OF US is primordial to this process of awakening. The best part of this song is the title "VIVA LA VIDA" which in Spanish means "BRAVO TO LIFE" and in my opinion it's there to let us know that at the end of the day it all will be fine, that we will awaken to this truth. Celebrating life as the classroom that it is for our souls and conciousness.
VIVA like HOORAY is used to express joy, approval, or encouragement
The word Missionaries is placed instead of Crusaders for obvious reasons. Missionaries don't carry swords and shields like the song says.
When he says Roman Cavalry choirs are singing, I think the word Cavalry is placed instead of Catholic to avoid controversy, since it's obviously speaking of a militaristic approach to faith. It makes more sense to say Roman Catholic choirs, doesn't it??
It uncovers the marriage of the powerful and organized religion that was the norm during the middle ages between the European nations and the Vatican.
if there's an actual channeling from a past life, It will have to be the king of either England, France or Spain during the middle ages crusades. These were the nations champions of Christianity, puppets of the Vatican. They brought Sheer terror over the arab world particularly Jerusalem during the crusades
Power combined with Love and Wisdom is invincible
When the Love and Wisdom aspects are missing, their place gets taken by either Fear,Hatred or Ignorance. In this case Power is LETHAL ABSOLUTE POWER corrupts - "Once you'd gone there was never Never an honest word. And that was when I ruled the world"
If this song is not about a past life, then I don't know what else it could possibly be.<br /> <br /> They give a massive clue to who this is, "For some reason I can't explain, I know Saint Peter won't call my name"<br /> <br /> This implies a time period during the life of Saint Peter, 1BC - 64AD. Who "ruled the world" and was a shady character of history "Once you go there was never, never an honest word, That was when I ruled the world"<br /> <br /> I will give a hint, the initials are "P.P."
@aware123 Your impression of this song makes a lot of sense to me. Many of the interpretations of this song are very good and make some sense. It's a very interesting song with wonderful music.<br /> I guess only the writer knows exactly what the words mean. It sure has become an interesting subject! I like the song a lot!<br />
I LOVE this song!!!! :D <3 It's truly amazing.
I think this song has something to do with Jesus Christ. Jesus was referred to as the "King of the Jews" and they mention the word "king" several times in this song.
"Long live the king!" is what the soldiers said when they were whipping Jesus Christ (remember when he got crucified, he got beaten with nasty whips, a crown of thorns placed on his head, and he has to carry the cross?).
"I know Saint Peter won't call my name." refers to when Jesus said to Peter that Peter would deny him three times before the cock would crow twice, and this happened, because Peter denied Jesus three times before the cock crew twice.
"Revolutionaries wait for my head on a silver plate." refers to when John the Baptist got decapitated. Jerusalem is where the temple Jesus was in and is present in the bible many times.
There are still many more lyrics to classify this song as being about Jesus Christ, but I was only naming the basics. Thanks for reading! xD
@TheMusicNinja I also see a lot of paradigms displayed in this song. You've picked up on a number of religious themes. Songs can have many meanings, even as interpreted by the same person. It doesn't have to be just one way or the other. I can accept the Louis XIV interpretations, but also appreciate the strong religious overtones. <br /> <br /> I also noticed the "roll the dice" reference - perhaps when the Roman Soldiers cast lots for Jesus garments? "Fear in my enemies eyes" could reference the fact that Rome ruled the world and all bowed down to the Emporer, Kings, etc that were established. So, how about King Herod as well? Salome, Herod's daughter asked for John the Baptist's "head on a platter". <br /> <br /> Jerusalem bells ringing are a reference to the Christian call to prayer on Sundays, whether Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran or otherwise. Christians ring bells as opposed to the adhan, which is the Muslim call to prayer. The choirs and the bells could be allusion to the resurrection. <br /> <br /> I also see <br /> "It was a wicked and wild wind<br /> Blew down the doors to let me in<br /> Shattered windows and the sound of drums<br /> People couldn't believe what I'd become"<br /> <br /> which makes me think of the rushing wind of the "Holy Spirit" during Pentecost. <br /> <br /> Jesus became man and dwelt among us - and we know that he felt and experienced human emotion and fought the same internal battles that we fought. He Lived the Life "Viva La Vida". Hence, the question, "Oh who would ever want to be king?" which I interpret to be King of the Jews, or King of the World - after all, look what humans do to Kings, Presidents and others that they elevate to power, only to put them on a string to dance to their tune "like a puppet on a lonely string".<br /> <br /> The closing lines - <br /> <br /> "Never an honest word<br /> But that was when I ruled the world"<br /> <br /> alludes to the fact that although Jesus never lied, he never heard an honest word. Even St Peter, when confronted by the non-believers, could not utter an honest word about who Jesus truly was. <br /> <br /> That's what I hear in the song, with no disrespect to the King Louis XIV references.
@TheMusicNinja I agree with you, I have been sweeping the internet for hours looking for someone else who though similarly to me.
@TheMusicNinja regarding your interpretation of viva la vida....plus....before becoming a man Jesus used to Rule the World, seas would rise when he gave the word. Now he sleeps alone, sweeps the streets he used to own.....(refering to his servanthood as a man.
Well... I seriously agree w/ the last person...the cover IS the clue so here's why:
So, as you can see...there are many different ways this song is connected to the French Revolution...and if ya'll are wondering where I got this stuff, we just covered the French Revolution in Religion, so I just felt like sharin' all this info....
@AYesso i have been toying with the king louis xiv idea. I feel that that the line Once you go there was never, never an honest word. That was the when i ruled the world. - has some meaning to the song either as a man singing to a lover brother or even mate the former king his farther before the old king was dead. That was the end to honesty and thus the end to his kingdom.
well, first off, I'm really impressed by this song. I absolutely love it...the instrumentals are amazing and Chris Martin's voice and vocal melodies are perfect. The first verse is talking about a decline from wealth and fame to a nobody. I've been trying to figure out what the relevance of this is, but no ideas yet. In the second verse, his mindset seems to have changed and he's accepted his lower status and now is questioning, "who would ever wanna be king?" Well, he used to be the King and now that he sees what it looks like from an outsider's perspective, he realizes that he's glad to have left it behind.
I have no idea about the chorus. Hopefully someone else has some ideas.
French Revolution<br /> his song is using the french revolution as a metaphore he is describing himself either as napoleon or louis XVI more likely napoleon. napoleon having control over north africa like jerusleum. also the old king is dead louis XVI long live the king or emporer napoleon, but it talks of ravolution which napoleon surrendered he wasn't over thrown. with the backround violins sounds alot like 1800's style music and the album cover viva la vida is a pating about the french revolution. also viva la vida viva la france
I'm impressed by this song too... i'm getting a story out of it about the awakening of someone's memory about a God they once used to know. He says that the moment he remembers this God, THAT "was when [he] ruled the world", meaning that was when he was happiest, life was smoothest, and there was a big feeling of peace. With only God was he producing all these miraculous deeds, like "lifting the sea", and "rolling the dice"...so much faith that he could gamble and know that God was in control, not the dice...<br /> <br /> And he talks about the "wicked and wild wind"...which is his way of describing all the things God did to try to get him back on his side. I know I sound way too BIBLE-Y and GOD-ly but it's true! And it even says in the bible that "the one who doubts(meaning, the one who doubts god) is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind"... that's from the book of James in the bible, Chapter 1, and I think Chris might be getting his lyrics from this place.<br /> <br /> The whole song is just really great... mainstream music isn't usually my thing, but Coldplay is just awesome..
well, what i believe is the meaning behind this song is King herod Sentencing Jesus to crucifiction and then falling from kingship and realizing that everything that people had told him about Jesus was completely false, One minute i held the key the key to Jesus crucifiction wich wuz what the Jews wanted, next the walls were closed on me. meaning that later people had realized that Jesus was actually the son of God and a religion started after his crucifiction, he realized that his castle standed on pillars of salt and sand wich is material and is what jesus warned about at the sermon on the mount. meaning he realized that Jesus was the truth, shattered windows and the sound of drums meaning that Jesus broke the vail on the temple after he was crucified, and he was being looked at as nobody and the people who were believers of christ all hated him for what he done theese days, the roman calvalry choirs were singing be my mirror sword and shied my missionaries in a foreign field meaning to spread the word of God in other lands and hes saying that st peter wont call his name for what he has done in the passed.
Isn't the song title Death and All his friends? Or is that just poor internet searching on my part...<br /> <br /> I read the lyrics as the devil's lament to his defeat by Jesus.. He no longer holds the keys to death...
Actually this song is based on the French Revolution.
Also it is NOT napoleon but really King Louis the XVI
i totally love the song. Dont you think that if the song had been sang after michael's death it could be said that it refers to him? He used to rule that world (i am a mike fan) like no other artist. Then his rule kinda went down. And he lost a lot of money too. (Sweep the streets i used to own) and then this ws followed by death. And because he never seemed to have gained peace inside, he feels that st peter won't call his name? Think 'bout it.
kinda but i think it's more like he's really popular and that changed his personality "People couldn't believe what I'd become" or maybe a bully "feel the fear in my enemys eyes"
wait, everybody knows this song is about napoleon right? just making sure...
this interpretation is cool, go on:<br /> orgud.com/2010/04/viva-la-vida-lyrics-songtext-coldplay/<br /> <br /> an press the translate button on right side.<br />
I think that the song is about an individual's rise to power, his revelation that his power base is unstable, his power having been usurped from him, dealing with rebellions, and the impending fall from power that awaits the protagonist.<br /> <br /> "I used to roll the dice<br /> Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes<br /> Listen as the crowd would sing<br /> 'Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!'"<br /> <br /> The speaker was a rising star in the world, he defeated someone great and powerful before him. <br /> <br /> "One minute I held the key<br /> Next the walls were closed on me<br /> And I discovered that my castles stand<br /> Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand"<br /> <br /> After the protagonist has taken the crown, he now sees that he's trapped in his current situation. His castles stand on pillars of salt and sand, meaning that the very foundation that he established his power on is unstable.<br /> <br /> "For some reason I can't explain<br /> Once you go there was never<br /> Never an honest word<br /> And that was when I ruled the world<br /> <br /> It was the wicked and wild wind<br /> Blew down the doors to let me in<br /> Shattered windows and the sound of drums<br /> People couldn't believe what I'd become"<br /> <br /> The beginning of the King's demise began when the title changed his personality. The narrator of the song's story became dishonest, he used his power to get what he wanted from other people, "It was the wicked and wild wind. Blew down the doors to let me in." The king is no longer the man that people remembered him as he's become corrupted from power.<br /> <br /> "Revolutionaries wait<br /> For my head on a silver plate<br /> Just a puppet on a lonely string<br /> Oh, who would ever want to be king?<br /> <br /> I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing<br /> Roman Cavalry choirs are singing<br /> Be my mirror, my sword and shield<br /> My missionaries in a foreign field"<br /> <br /> Now the current king is dealing with rebellions while his power is being usurped from him by the people surrounding him. The song doesn't say exactly who is usurping power - it could be his military that he depends on to protect him from the rebels, his bureaucrats, the men of his court, etc. But, the fact is that the narrator says that he's no just a "puppet on a lonely string. Oh, who would ever want to be king?" <br /> <br /> "For some reason I can't explain<br /> I know Saint Peter won't call my name<br /> Never an honest word<br /> But that was when I ruled the world"<br /> <br /> As the speaker's story is coming to an end, he thinks to himself that Saint Peter won't call his name, mentioning that he "Never [said] an honest word". Because, power has corrupted him and made him an evil person, the narrator knows that he's going to burn in Hell for what he's done while he sat on his throne.<br /> <br /> <br /> The song doesn't really relate to any one person in particular. One could guess Napolean since he had such a big fall, but his defeat was from foreign powers and not by rebellions. A Roman Emperor might be more appropriate, since there's mention of "Jerusalem bells" and a "Roman Calvary choir", and since Roman emperors in history usually did come to power through bloodshed. But, even then there's really no mention on WHO the speaker of the song is.<br /> <br /> One could speculate that the protagonist's predicament is an analogy for Chris Martin's anxieties now that he's famous. Although, fame and power aren't quite the same thing, they are similar in that they're the kind of things that many people want but don't consider that also come with a heavy price.
@michinobu: I'll go with yours. Thanks!
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing? It sounds to me like Roman Catholic choirs are singing. Roman Catholic Choirs seems to make more sense. I think the official name for the Catholic Church is still Roman Catholic.<br />
I see the basic elements of a middle aged man whose life as gone to hell. In other words?<br /> <br /> Like all of us. Those predator wives of ours who only saw us as a meal ticket and someone to sue for alimony and child support after the honeymoon ends.
I found something pretty cool about the actual video clip of this song, it's just a very personal interpretation: First of all, there are many many ways to interpret this song, mine is that it talks about Louis XVI, the king that was killed in the French Revolution. The "funny" thing about the video is that, right when Chris starts singing, the drum starts playing, just like in the French Revolution (if anybody knows just a bit about History you may know that Louis was trying to speak to the crowd before getting his head cut off, and he was cut by a drum roll). Just a fun thing i found about the song.
very cool bit of trivia! made me go back and listen to the song again ;)
That sounds pretty interesting. The cover art for the album also has a picture of the French Revolution, I'm pretty sure. :) It would make sense.
When I first heard this song, I thought of Napoleon. "I used to rule the world" could be referring to the fact that Napoleon did, in fact, eventually conquer most of Europe. "Now in the morning I sleep alone" could be about his exile on Saint Helena after his reign as Emperor. The part about feeling "the fear in my enemies' eyes" could be about how he was so powerful and everyone in Europe feared him, especially those under his rule. "Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!" could be a reference to the death of Louis XVI and the French monarchy and the subsequent rise to power of Napoleon. "One minute I held the key, next the doors were closed on me" could be about how he essentially ruled most of the civilized world, then met his defeat at Waterloo. The part about the castles standing "upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand" could be about how he thought he was unstoppable, but then everything fell to pieces around him. The "wicked and wild wind" could be a reference to the French Revolution, which "blew down the doors to let me in" (basically giving Napoleon the chance to seize power.) The Jerusalem bells and Roman cavalry choirs could be an indirect, religious reference to Napoleon's feud with and then capture of Pope Pius VII. "People couldn't believe what I'd become" could be about how Napoleon rose from being a soldier all the way up to Emperor and arguably the most powerful person in Europe at the time. The part about "revolutionaries wait for my head on a silver plate" could be about the continuing political turbulence in France throughout Napoleon's reign, and how many were unhappy with the way he ruled. However, I have also heard people say it's about Louis XVI, which I could understand. I would have to say whoever it is about would most likely be French, as referenced by the French flag on the album cover. But I don't know. Even if it isn't about anyone in specific, it's still an excellent song about power and the rise and fall of a leader. Thank you, babibabi, for being the first person I've seen to agree with me! (Forgive me if I missed anyone else!)