Viva La Vida
Boyce Avenue Lyrics

I used to rule the world
I once had complete control over everything.

Seas would rise when I gave the word
My power was so great, that even the forces of nature would respond to my command.

Now in the morning I sleep alone
I am now alone in my defeat, and it is difficult for me to sleep well at night.

Sweep the streets I used to own
I now do menial tasks, such as sweeping the streets, in the very place where I had once ruled as king.

I used to roll the dice
I used to take risks and make decisions with confidence, believing that I would always come out on top.

Feel the fear in my enemies eyes
My enemies were afraid of me and knew the power I possessed.

Listen as the crowd would sing:
The people once praised me and looked up to me as a leader.

"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
Now that I have been overthrown, the people have embraced a new leader.

One minute I held the key
I once had control and power over something essential.

Next the walls were closed on me
Suddenly, the power I once had was taken away from me, and there were barriers preventing me from regaining that power.

And I discovered that my castles stand
I realized that the things I had built my power upon were not as strong or secure as I had believed.

Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand
The foundation of my power was weak and fragile, and could easily crumble under pressure.

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
I am mindful of religious and cultural forces that shape the world.

Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Even powerful and dominant forces are not immune to change, and may one day be overthrown.

Be my mirror my sword and shield
Find yourself in me, and let me guide and protect you.

My missionaries in a foreign field
I am the one who can spread my message and influence to far-off lands.

For some reason I can't explain
Although I once had great power and influence, I cannot fully understand or explain why I lost that power.

Once you know there was never, never an honest word
The reality is that truth and honesty were always in short supply during my reign.

That was when I ruled the world
I miss the time when I had immense power and influence over everything and everyone.

It was the wicked and wild wind
The forces that led to my downfall were uncontrollable and unpredictable.

Blew down the doors to let me in.
The same forces that overthrew me had once given me the opportunity to rise to power.

Shattered windows and the sound of drums
My rise to power was marked by destruction, chaos, and violence.

People could not believe what I'd become
My transformation from ordinary to powerful was sudden and surprising to many.

Revolutionaries Wait
There are people who are eager to create change by overthrowing the existing power structures.

For my head on a silver plate
These revolutionaries want to kill me and display my head as a symbol of their victory.

Just a puppet on a lonely string
I was merely a tool or vessel for those who truly held the power in my reign.

Oh who would ever want to be king?
In the end, the costs and risks associated with becoming a powerful ruler may not be worth it.

I know Saint Peter won't call my name
I will not go to heaven when I die, and I am not seen as a moral or virtuous figure by society.

Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh
This is a final expression of sadness and longing for the days of my former power and influence.