Viva La Vida
Coldplay & Rhythms Del Mundo Lyrics
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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
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
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 are ringing
Roman Calvary 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 are ringing
Roman Calvary 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
"Viva la Vida" is a song that tells the story of a once powerful king losing his throne and becoming a nobody in society. The lyrics paint a picture of a king who used to have power and authority in everything he did, where the seas would rise at his command, and the crowd would sing along with his tunes. However, he lost everything overnight when he discovered that his kingdom was built on pillars of salt and sand, leading to its collapse. He is now a shadow of who he was, sweeping the streets he used to own and sleeping alone at night.
Despite his fall from grace, the king is still yearning for the power and influence he once had over people. He hears the sounds of the Jerusalem bells ringing and the Roman cavalry choirs singing, reminding him of the days he was in charge. He longs to have his missionaries in a foreign field, his sword, and shield back to defend him, but he knows that the past is gone and can never be regained.
Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" is a stirring tune that resonates with many people who have experienced a downfall in their lives. It reminds us that nothing lasts forever, and that people's fortunes can change in a blink of an eye. However, it is the resilience and the ability to move on that makes all the difference in such challenging times.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to rule the world
I used to have power and control over everything and everyone
Seas would rise when I gave the word
My commands were so influential that even nature would obey my every word
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
I am no longer the popular and powerful figure I was before and I am left all alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I now have to do the menial job of cleaning the very streets that I once controlled
I used to roll the dice
I used to take risks and make decisions that would impact the lives of many people
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
My enemies were scared of me and the power I held over them
Listen as the crowd would sing
The people used to praise and sing songs in my honor
Now the old king is dead, long live the king
My reign has ended and someone new has taken my place as the ruler
One minute I held the key
I had control and power over everything, and held the keys to important decisions
Next the walls were closed on me
Suddenly, I was trapped and no longer had the freedom and power I once had
And I discovered that my castles stand
I realized that what I thought was a strong foundation for my power was actually weak and vulnerable
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
The foundation of my power was weak and vulnerable, like pillars made of salt and sand that are easily destroyed
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
I hear the call of a distant place, a call to something new and different
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
I hear the sound of a powerful and triumphant army approaching, ready to take control
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
I am looking for guidance and protection in this time of uncertainty
My missionaries in a foreign field
I am sending out people to spread my message and gain new support in foreign territories
For some reason I can't explain
I don't understand why things have turned out the way they have
Once you go there was never, never an honest word
I have realized that the people who used to surround me were never truly honest with me
And that was when I ruled the world
I only had true power and control when I was surrounded by people who were dishonest with me
It was a wicked and wild wind
The change that happened to me and my circumstances was sudden and unexpected
Blew down the doors to let me in
It was actually the change that opened up new opportunities for me to gain power and control once again
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
The chaos and excitement of the change was intense, like the sound of broken glass and drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Even my enemies were surprised by my rise to power and control once again
Revolutionaries wait
There are people who are hoping for my downfall and are ready to take over
For my head on a silver plate
They are waiting for me to fail so that they can publicly humiliate me and take my place
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Despite my regained power, I still feel alone and controlled by others
Oh, who would ever want to be king?
Despite the power and control it brings, it is not a desirable position as it comes with loneliness and vulnerability
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
I am resigned to the fact that I will not be accepted into heaven when I die
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Vocalization
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
I am still hearing the call of that distant place
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
I am still hearing the powerful and triumphant sound of that approaching army
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
I still need guidance and protection in my current position of power and control
My missionaries in a foreign field
I still need to send out people to spread my message and gain new support in foreign territories
For some reason I can't explain
I still don't understand why things have turned out the way they have
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
I am resigned to my fate that I will not be accepted into heaven when I die
Never an honest word
Even though I am still in power, I am aware that I am still surrounded by people who are not honest with me
But that was when I ruled the world
I still long for the time when I had full and true power and control over everything and everyone around me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christopher A. J. Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, Jonathan Mark Buckland, William Champion
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind