Viva La Vida
Martin Chris Lyrics
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Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets that I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
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 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
That was when I ruled the world
(Ohhh)
It was the 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 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 will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)
I hear Jerusalem bells a 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 will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh
The song "Viva La Vida" by Martin Chris tells the story of a fallen king who reflects on his past experiences and power. He once ruled the world, and the seas even rose when he gave the word. However, his power dwindled, and he found himself sleeping alone in the morning, sweeping the streets he used to own. The king used to roll the dice and feel the fear of his enemies, but he would also listen to the crowd sing "Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!" as he passed on his power to the next ruler. One minute he held the key, and the next, walls closed on him, and he realized that the castles he once built stood upon pillars of salt and sand.
The song also refers to the Jerusalem bells ringing and the Roman cavalry choirs singing, as well as the king's missionaries in a foreign field. He sought a mirror, sword, and shield, but he couldn't explain why he had a sense of impending doom. He knew Saint Peter would call his name, but he could never be honest with himself or his people, and he laments that when he ruled the world, he never spoke the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to rule the world
I was once in complete control and had power over everything
Seas would rise when I gave the word
My commands had a great impact and others followed them
Now in the morning I sleep alone
I've lost the power and the company that came with it, and now find myself lonely
Sweep the streets that I used to own
I'm now reduced to mundane tasks and cleaning up the streets that I once had power over
I used to roll the dice
I used to take risks and make bold decisions
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
I enjoyed instilling fear in those who opposed me and seeing it manifest in their eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing: "Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
The people celebrated the downfall of the old leader and the rise of the new one
One minute I held the key
I had control over everything and held the key to my success
Next the walls were closed on me
Suddenly, everything fell apart and I found myself trapped with nowhere to turn
And I discovered that my castles stand Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I realized that the foundation of my power was weak and built on unstable ground
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
I'm reminded of the past and the sounds that were once a part of my reign
Be my mirror my sword and shield
I need someone to reflect my image, protect me, and help me fight my battles
My missionaries in a foreign field
Those who follow me are working in a place that is unfamiliar to them
For some reason I can't explain
I don't know why things ended up the way they did
Once you go there was never, never an honest word That was when I ruled the world (Ohhh)
Deceit and lies were a part of my regime and flourished while I was in control
It was the wicked and wild wind
A powerful and chaotic force brought about my downfall
Blew down the doors to let me in
The wind caused destruction and opened doors for me to enter and take over
Shattered windows and the sound of drums People couldn't believe what I'd become
My actions caused chaos and shock among the people who knew me before I became powerful
Revolutionaries wait For my head on a silver plate
Those who oppose me are actively waiting for my downfall and willing to go to extreme measures to achieve it
Just a puppet on a lonely string
I'm now being controlled by someone or something else and feel alone
Oh who would ever want to be king?
Being king isn't as glamorous as I once believed it to be
I know Saint Peter will call my name
I realize that my end is near and that I will be judged for my actions
Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh
Repetitive chorus that emphasizes the loss of power and the desire to regain it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christopher A. J. Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, Jonathan Mark Buckland, William Champion
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Andrea-xy8ce
Let’s sum it up:
-Handsome guy
-Leader of a world famous band
-Frontman of one of the most successful groups of all time
-Ex-husband of Gwyneth Paltrow (the wife of Iron Man...)
asks kindely if he can go on playing.
And the second time he says “sure?”
Man, that’s a humble boy!
👊🏻
@allezje
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 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 the 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 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
I hear Jerusalem bells a 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
@cobeyc.b5946
You don’t have to like Coldplay, but this is a world class performer
@muximuster7072
Cobey C.B broken voice, trying to shorten high notes
@willritter4076
I'd be honored if some Coldplay fans would take a quick listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of VIVA LA VIDA an SKY FULL OF STARS on my YT channel in tribute to the legendary songwriting of Chris Martin. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and peace.
@jam1ga
No doubt
@HCChen86
he is absolutely amazing!
@Svarog88
Cobey C.B ok
@LalalHaihing1
Chris Martin is a true musician. How he sounds the same even in live and his guitar strumming is so good to listen.
@bigdickandrew
Edit: he sounds even better
@Unknown_crusader
I agree with you both
@IdiHaps
@@bigdickandrew so true. The live sounds damn pure and majestic