Viva La Vida
Isak Danielson Lyrics


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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

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're gone there was never
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

...

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 won't call my name




Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Isak Danielson's Viva La Vida reveal the struggles of a fallen ruler, who once held great power and commanded the seas, but now finds himself alone and cleaning the streets he once owned. The song speaks to the deceitful nature of power and the fleeting nature of success. The chorus of the song alludes to religious themes, with mentions of Jerusalem bells and Roman Cavalry choirs, and the singer prays for a mirror, sword, and shield, as well as for missionaries to help him in a foreign land.


The first verse depicts the singer's descent from power and his loss of control over the world. He goes from ruling the world to sleeping alone and sweeping the streets, having lost everything he once held dear. The second verse speaks to the fragility of power and how it can be taken away at any moment. The singer discovers that his castles were built upon pillars of salt and sand, indicating that they were never solid in the first place.


In the chorus, the singer continues to seek refuge in religious imagery, asking for a mirror, sword, and shield to guide him in his new, foreign environment. He also acknowledges his past mistakes and the dishonesty that came with his former rule. The final verse portrays the singer's sense of hopelessness, with the realization that he has been forgotten and will not be remembered after he passes.


Line by Line Meaning

I used to rule the world
Once upon a time, I had complete power and control over everything around me


Seas would rise when I gave the word
I had so much influence, that even nature obeyed me without question


Now in the morning I sleep alone
Now, I'm alone with no one to share my victories and accomplishments


Sweep the streets I used to own
Performing tasks that I once delegated to others, it's now my responsibility to do things myself


One minute I held the key
I once had all the power and control


Next the walls were closed on me
Suddenly, everything was out of my reach, and all the doors were closed


And I discovered that my castles stand
I gradually came to realize that my power was built on fragile foundations


Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
Everything I had built was frail and unstable, and ultimately crumbled beneath me


I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
I hear the sounds of distant places that are beyond my current reach and control


Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Even the most powerful forces I can imagine are beyond my control


Be my mirror, my sword and shield
I need something to reflect and protect me, helping me to navigate the challenges ahead


My missionaries in a foreign field
I feel like I'm alone and lost, seeking guidance and support to overcome my struggles


For some reason I can't explain
Even I don't understand the reasons for the changes happening around me


I know Saint Peter won't call my name
I feel like I'm outside of the circle of life, and that I won't be able to reach heaven


Never an honest word
People around me are hiding the truth, and I can't trust them to be truthful with me


But that was when I ruled the world
At a time when I was at my strongest and most powerful, everything was different




Contributed by Nicholas I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Lost Matter.

My love )::

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