Viva La Vida
Coldplay [JPTC] 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 a 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
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
The lyrics to Coldplay's hit "Viva La Vida" explore themes of power, loss, and redemption. The song begins with the singer reflecting on their former life of power and influence, where they had control over the world and its elements. However, in the present day, they are alone, sweeping the streets that they once owned. The lyrics reveal that the singer has lost their power and has been displaced from their former position of authority.
The second verse builds on this theme of loss, describing how the singer held the key to their kingdom but then had their world collapse in on them. The imagery of castles built on pillars of salt and sand illustrates the fragility of power and the impermanence of earthly kingdoms. The lyrics also reference the singer's past, hinting that they may have fallen from grace due to dishonesty or corruption.
The final verse expresses a sense of remorse and longing for the singer's former life. However, they are aware that they can never regain what they lost and must face the consequences of their actions. The repeated refrain of "I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing" adds to the mystical and otherworldly feeling of the song, emphasizing the idea that the singer's former life was almost otherworldly in its perfection.
Overall, the lyrics to "Viva La Vida" are about the fall from power and the consequences of having too much control. The song speaks to the fragile nature of power and encourages listeners to reflect on the morality of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to rule the world
I once had total power and control
Seas would rise when I gave the word
I commanded everything, even the forces of nature obeyed me
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
Now I wake up alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I have to clean the streets I once owned
I used to roll the dice
I used to gamble with my power and influence
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
My enemies were afraid of me
Listen as the crowd would sing
The people used to celebrate my power
Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!
My reign has ended, but a new one has begun
One minute I held the key
I once had the power to unlock any door
Next the walls were closed on me
Suddenly, I found myself trapped
And I discovered that my castles stand
I realized my power was built on a fragile foundation
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
My power rested on unstable and unreliable factors
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
I hear religious and historical symbols of power and rebellion
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
I hear military symbols of power and conquest
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
I rely on others to protect and guide me
My missionaries in a foreign field
I send others to spread my message and power
For some reason I can't explain
I don't fully understand why things turned out this way
Once you go there was never, never a honest word
People started lying to me once I lost my power
And that was when I ruled the world
My power and influence was at its peak
It was a wicked and wild wind
Change came suddenly and violently
Blew down the doors to let me in
This change seemed to offer me new opportunities
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
The change was accompanied by chaos and destruction
People couldn't believe what I'd become
My transformation was shocking and unexpected
Revolutionaries wait
Those who seek to overthrow me are waiting for their chance
For my head on a silver plate
They want to kill me and present my head as a trophy
Just a puppet on a lonely string
I am now a powerless figure, controlled by others
Oh, who would ever want to be king?
The singer questions the worth of being a powerful ruler
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
The artist believes they will not be remembered positively in history
Never an honest word
People stop being truthful when power is at stake
But that was when I ruled the world
The singer looks back on their days of power with nostalgia
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY JOHN MARTIN, GUY RUPERT BERRYMAN, JONATHAN MARK BUCKLAND, WILLIAM CHAMPION
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NotThatUser
I 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-ringin
Roman Cavalry choirs a-singin
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 a 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 a-ringin
Roman Cavalry choirs a-singin
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
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin
Roman Cavalry choirs a-singin
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
@forgettablename6436
I used to rule the world
Chunks would load when I gave the word
Now every night I go stow away
Hide from the mobs I used to slay
They once were terrified
Every time I looked into their eyes
Villagers would cheer my way
For a hero I was, that's what they'd say
One minute we had it all
Next our world began to fall
Away from all that it had once become
They all cried for my help, but I stood there numb
I gaze off into the boundless skyline
Noteblock choirs playing in the sunshine
Turn 'round pick up my sword and wield
The blade that once forced evil mobs to yield
And hope one day that this chaos and
Destruction turns for the better
Never a bow in hand
That was when I ruled the land
It was the creepers and Skeletons
Blew down the doors and boxed us in
Arrows whizzing by like streaks of light
I tried all that I could to stay and fight
As the undead roamed the street
Families broken at my feet
Life itself suspended by a thread
Oh, why is it that I wasn't dead
I gaze off into the boundless skyline
Noteblock choirs playing in the sunshine
Turn 'round pick up my sword and wield
The blade that once forced evil mobs to yield
If this battle should leave me slain
I know that Herobrine will call my name
Better to take a stand
That was when I ruled the land
I gaze off into the boundless skyline
Noteblock choirs playing in the sunshine
Turn 'round pick up my sword and wield
The blade that once forced evil mobs to yield
If this battle should leave me slain
I know that Herobrine will call my name
Better to take a stand
That was when I ruled the land
@rakiburrahmanayon754
And This is Coldplay,the biggest band of current world.
This is the band who writes their own music.
This is the band which produces beautiful deep lyrics and amazing melodies.
This is the band that doesn't fear trying out new patterns of music in every album.
And,Though they are so much famous and popular worldwide, all Band members are absolutely down to earth persons.
They teach you 'Love' and everything good in this world.. :)
Also, they are one of the very few bands without half naked girls on their video and still have so much popularity... Coldplay, "oh,You make me feel Alive again! Alive Again!!"
Who can hate them??!
Humanity needs more music from Coldplay.. :)
@indie414
+Ch. Rakib "biggest band of current world" No. There are more popular and WAY better bands than Coldplay out there.
"writes their own music" Most non-shit bands do this, too bad Coldplay is a shit band
"beautiful deep lyrics with amazing melodies" Listen to The Wall by Pink Floyd and get back to me
"doesn't fear trying out new patterns of music in every album" Pink Floyd, Phish, Primus, Panic! At The Disco and a million other bands do that
"Band members are absolutely down to earth persons" So are most people who aren't Kayne West
"Teach you 'Love' and everything good in the world" Love is a basic human emotion and many other bands teach lessons through their songs
"they are one of the very few bands without half naked girls on their video and still have so much popularity" Pink Floyd, Primus, Phish, Ozzy Osbourne, Beastie Boys, Cake and Daft Punk also don't do this, along with a ton of other bands
"Who can hate them" Me
"Humanity needs more music from Coldplay" We certainly do not.
@guilhermeparizotto7095
2008: Masterpiece
2024: Masterpiece
@m4x1mumd3d5
It's crazy how it was made 3 months before I was born
@hamzabarca8272
m4x1mum its older
@penguin22penguin22
yeah
@orkhonooo
yep brow
@luisvillatoro777
One Piece
@Thedangerfiles560
0% Sex
0% Drugs
0% Violence
100% Pure musical genius
@factsfungames6661
ikr and also no twerking lol. Its rare today
@aonjonix_292
There's a lil bit of violence
@golazogamerhd6285
The homie yosh i dont think a beheading is a "little" bit of violence