Viva La Vida
Coldplay/Musicfire.in Lyrics

I used to rule the world
There was a time in the past when I had complete control and power over people and things.

Seas would rise when I gave the word
I had so much influence and authority that things would happen just by me speaking about them.

Now in the morning, I sleep alone
But now, I am alone and nobody is around me to share my life with.

Sweep the streets I used to own
I am now forced to do menial tasks like sweeping the streets, which I used to own and control once.

I used to roll the dice
I used to take risks and gamble with my power and influence.

Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
I could easily intimidate my opponents and make them afraid of me.

Listen as the crowd would sing
People used to talk about me and sing my praises, showing how much power I had over them.

Now the old king is dead, long live the king
My reign has come to an end and somebody else has taken my place as the new king or ruler.

One minute I held the key
I had access to everything I needed and could control everything around me.

Next the walls were closed on me
But suddenly everything changed, and I found myself trapped and helpless.

And I discovered that my castles stand
I realized that my empire was built on weak and fragile foundations.

Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
My foundations were weak and crumbling like pillars of salt and sand.

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
I hear the sound of bells and choirs singing, invoking a sense of ancient power and influence.

Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
The sounds of choirs singing and Roman cavalry conjure up images of ancient battles and victory.

Be my mirror, my sword and shield
I need somebody else to mirror my power and be my sword and shield for protection.

My missionaries in a foreign field
My followers and supporters are my 'missionaries' in different lands, spreading my power and influence.

For some reason I can't explain
I cannot yet understand why I have lost everything and why everything changed so suddenly.

Once you'd gone, there was never, never an honest word
After the people left me or turned away from me, nobody ever spoke honestly to me anymore.

And that was when I ruled the world
My power and control over everything only lasted while people were still loyal and supportive of me.

It was the wicked and wild wind
Something unexpected and uncontrollable caused my downfall.

Blew down the doors to let me in
But that same force also opened the doors to let me in and rise to the top in the first place.

Shattered windows and the sound of drums
The sound of broken glass and drums creates a sense of chaos and destruction.

People couldn't believe what I'd become
People were surprised and shocked by how much power and control I had gained.

Revolutionaries wait
There are people who are waiting for me to fail and for a revolution to happen.

For my head on a silver plate
There are people who want to see me dead or dethroned so badly that they would present my head on a silver plate as a reward.

Just a puppet on a lonely string
I am now nothing more than a puppet, controlled by others and alone in my powerlessness.

Oh, who would ever want to be king?
After everything that has happened, I wonder why anybody would want to be in power or become a king.

I know Saint Peter won't call my name
I know that I am not worthy of heaven or any kind of divine forgiveness.

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Repetition of this phrase creates a sense of urgency and desperation.

Hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
The sound of Jerusalem bells ringing is a symbol of ancient power and religious significance.

Roman Calvary choirs are singing
The sound of Roman cavalry choirs is a symbol of ancient military power and might.

Be my mirror, my sword and shield
I am asking somebody to be my reflection of power, weapon and protection.

My missionaries in a foreign field
My followers and supporters are like missionaries, fulfilling my orders and spreading my influence in different parts of the world.

For some reason I can't explain
I cannot yet understand the reason behind my fall from power and the loss of everything I had.

I know Saint Peter won't call my name
I am not worthy to be called by Saint Peter, denoting a religious significance and meaning.

Never an honest word
After becoming so powerful, nobody ever spoke the truth to me anymore.

But that was when I ruled the world
All my influence and power over people and things only existed in the past, because now nobody follows me anymore.