Viva La Vida
Chris Martin Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets that 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 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 go there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
(Ohhh)

It was the 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 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
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

I hear Jerusalem bells a 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
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word




But that was when I ruled the world
Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh

Overall Meaning

Chris Martin's Viva La Vida is a song about power, loss, and redemption. The song is narrated from the perspective of a former king who once had the power to control the world but is now left alone to sweep the streets that he used to own. The opening lines "I used to rule the world, Seas would rise when I gave the word, Now in the morning I sleep alone, Sweep the streets that I used to own" immediately establish the theme of power loss.


The song delves deeper into the idea of the fickleness of power and the fall from grace. The lyrics "Once you go there was never, never an honest word, That was when I ruled the world" reveal that the king has realized that his power was built on a foundation of lies and deception. The chorus "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, I know Saint Peter will call my name" signifies the king's confession and his search for redemption.


The lyrics "Never an honest word, But that was when I ruled the world" reveal that the king is aware of his past mistakes but is eager to make amends. Overall, Viva La Vida is a poignant song about the dangers of absolute power and the importance of self-reflection and truth.


Line by Line Meaning

I used to rule the world
I had control over everything


Seas would rise when I gave the word
My influence was so great that even nature responded to my commands


Now in the morning I sleep alone
I am no longer surrounded by loyal subjects


Sweep the streets that I used to own
I am reduced to menial tasks


I used to roll the dice
I took risks in order to maintain my power


Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
I enjoyed instilling fear in those who opposed me


Listen as the crowd would sing:
Even the people who praised me did so only because they were obligated to


"Now the old king is dead!
People celebrate my downfall


Long live the king!"
But the cycle of power and control continues


One minute I held the key
I briefly had the power to unlock any door


Next the walls were closed on me
But soon after, I found myself trapped


And I discovered that my castles stand
My power and wealth were built on a weak foundation


Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
And were therefore not sustainable


I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
I am reminded of a place of great power and authority


Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
And an ancient and once-powerful army


Be my mirror my sword and shield
I wish to be able to see myself clearly as well as protect myself


My missionaries in a foreign field
I try to spread my influence to new territories


For some reason I can't explain
Despite everything that has happened, I can't articulate why I desired power so much


Once you go there was never, never an honest word
But I know that my quest for power corrupted me


That was when I ruled the world
I had everything I ever wanted, but at a cost


It was the wicked and wild wind
The same force that once propelled and elevated me


Blew down the doors to let me in
Has now come back to haunt me and has brought me to my knees


Shattered windows and the sound of drums
The destruction caused by my ambition


People couldn't believe what I'd become
The extent of my corruption was shocking to those who once looked up to me


Revolutionaries wait
Those seeking an end to oppression and corruption are preparing to overthrow me


For my head on a silver plate
And I know that my downfall and death are imminent


Just a puppet on a lonely string
I realize that I was never really in control, but was instead controlled by my own desires for power


Oh who would ever want to be king?
But despite everything, there are still those who seek power at any cost


I know Saint Peter will call my name
I am aware of my impending judgment and potential punishment in the afterlife


Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh
But the allure of power is still strong, even in the face of certain consequences




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christopher A. J. Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, Jonathan Mark Buckland, William Champion

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@Andrea-xy8ce

Let’s sum it up:

-Handsome guy

-Leader of a world famous band

-Frontman of one of the most successful groups of all time

-Ex-husband of Gwyneth Paltrow (the wife of Iron Man...)


asks kindely if he can go on playing.
And the second time he says “sure?”

Man, that’s a humble boy!
👊🏻



@allezje

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 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 go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
It was the 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 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
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
I hear Jerusalem bells a 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
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world



All comments from YouTube:

@cobeyc.b5946

You don’t have to like Coldplay, but this is a world class performer

@muximuster7072

Cobey C.B broken voice, trying to shorten high notes

@willritter4076

I'd be honored if some Coldplay fans would take a quick listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of VIVA LA VIDA an SKY FULL OF STARS on my YT channel in tribute to the legendary songwriting of Chris Martin. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and peace.

@jam1ga

No doubt

@HCChen86

he is absolutely amazing!

@Svarog88

Cobey C.B ok

69 More Replies...

@LalalHaihing1

Chris Martin is a true musician. How he sounds the same even in live and his guitar strumming is so good to listen.

@bigdickandrew

Edit: he sounds even better

@Unknown_crusader

I agree with you both

@IdiHaps

@@bigdickandrew so true. The live sounds damn pure and majestic

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