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
Aw, who would ever wanna 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

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Viva la Vida song meanings
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  • +1
    My Interpretation

    It took until performing this song last night to develop a likeness for it and an understanding from my experiences.

    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

    The beginning of this song reminds me of the Beatles' "Help!" because it's talking about the past as if things are not the same. The speaker used to have an ability that gave them many opportunities and perhaps even a sense of "power" hypothetically. Between then and now, something has happened where they are now under the power because someone is controlling them and they must cater.

    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!"

    The speaker made his own fate and beat the adversaries. Supporters of this person used to look up to them and stand by their side. Not necessarily because they saved them from someone evil but brought something good to their lives.

    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

    They used to be able to do anything or get anywhere from their talent and connection. But then, someone wasn't routing for them. Their talent meant nothing because it was dependent on others' support--others who did not support them.

    I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing 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 Once you'd gone there was never, never an honest word That was when I ruled the world

    Powerful imagery--literally. They want the support from people who will fight for them even when things are not happy and good. Once everyone was not fighting for them and others were against them, it was all false because they were wrong.

    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

    In the end, the truth will out. The people who were ignorant to their abilities were shocked at how they had changed and evolved from this injustice and still managed to give it to them.

    Revolutionaries wait For my head on a silver plate Just a puppet on a lonely string Oh who would ever want to be king?

    The people or person in power still wants them to be controlled so they cannot be an individual. They wonder why anyone would want to be in power because it takes so much effort to control and to be evil and quell everyone's passions.

    At the end, this person still wants their "power" back. This leads me to believe there are negative and positive connotations of power. The speaker has used it for good--and yet, I believe that they are singing about how they don't want to control, but they did regain their true power.

    Looks like Coldplay needs another verse.

    cursive57on March 19, 2016   Link

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