Violet Hill
Coldplay (cover) Lyrics

Was a long and dark December
The singer is describing a past December that was gloomy and extended.

From the rooftops I remember
The singer recalls being on a roof during that December.

There was snow
It was snowing at that time.

White snow
The snow was white, as snow usually is.

Clearly I remember
The artist is certain about this recollection.

From the windows they were watching
Someone was observing from a window.

While we froze down below
While the singer and others were shivering in the cold, those inside were warm and unaffected.

When the future's architecture
The artist is now discussing a time when futuristic designs are being put on display.

By a carnival of idiots on show
The artist views these designs and those behind them as foolish.

You'd better lie low
The artist suggests hiding away from these designs and those promoting them.

If you love me
The singer is addressing someone, asking if they love them.

Won't you let me know?
The artist wants a clear answer from the person they are addressing.

When the banks became cathedrals
The singer is now referencing a time when financial institutions became significant in society.

And the fog
The singer is now describing a fog that appeared during this time.

Became God
The singer describes the fog as practically omnipotent in its power over people's lives.

Priests clutched onto bibles
Priests, those in religious positions, held onto their sole anchoring source of comfort during these times.

Hollowed out to fit their rifles
The bibles became altered to hold other tools, oppressive and violent in nature.

And the cross was held aloft
Christian symbols and ideals were displayed as tools of the oppressors.

Bury me in armor
The singer is addressing someone, requesting to be buried in a way that is protective.

When I'm dead and hit the ground
The artist is referencing their own death.

My nerves are poles that unfroze
The artist sees themselves as thawing out after being frozen stiff from fear and anxiety.

I don't want to be a soldier
The artist would rather not be a soldier.

Who the captain of some sinking ship
Being in control of a sinking vessel is not an appealing prospect for the singer.

Would stow
The captain would stash the artist away on their sinking ship.

Far below
The singer imagines being hidden deep underneath the ship's deck.

So if you love me
The singer is directing this line to someone and asking if they love them.

Why'd you let me go?
The singer is confused about why the person they are addressing let them go (could refer to their relationship or metaphorically in life).

I took my love down to violet hill
The artist is now discussing taking their love somewhere called Violet Hill.

There we sat in snow
The artist and their love sat in the snow at this location.

All the time she was silent and still
During this visit to Violet Hill, the singer's love was quiet and still.

If you love me
The singer is repeating this line again, asking if someone loves them.

Won't you let me know?
The artist is again requesting a clear answer from whoever they are speaking to.