Know something about this song or lyrics?
Add it to our wiki.
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 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
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?
[Chorus]
I hear Jerusalem bells a 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 rule this world
But that was when I ruled the world
[Chorus]
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
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?
[Chorus]
I hear Jerusalem bells a 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 rule this world
But that was when I ruled the world
[Chorus]
Lyrics submitted by zsub, edited by mike, christianbro9p, otac0n, stevenbol1
Track duration: 04:01
"Viva la Vida" as written by Christopher Anthony John Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, Jonathan Mark Buckland, William Champion
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
The singer used to have it all in life- he had a person who he loved at his side, and he based his life around it. His life is a 'kingdom' of which he is a king, and it's based on his love of this person. Thus, that person was his sword, shield, mirror, missionaries, etc.
However, he changed and didn't care for that person- maybe started abusing them- thus 'people couldn't believe what [he] had become'.
His love then left him because of it, and he realised how fragile he truly was without that person, and he expresses regret at what a horrible person he had become- thus, he knows Saint Peter won't call his name.
Viva La Vida roughly translates from spanish to "live life"
Literal- A king who felt like he was at the top of the world for one second, but the next everyone turned on him. He is on the run from the people who used to support him, but turned against him from making one mistake, or for doing something they didn't agree with. Who would want to be king? If you screw up once, then its like everyone turns on you. The people who build you up will break you down.
Symbolism- Someone who is really popular and well liked. Someone who felt like they had it all, when suddenly, they crumble. This person messes up, or doe something wrong, and now they realize that their "kingdom" wasn't even real, and all of these people who used to like them wouldn't always believe in them. It was all really just almost like a trick.
Eh , just my interpretation. No hate:)
Brilliant song.
This song is about Lucifer. You can try to explain it away but this is not based on the Vigilant Citizen or a Youtube video.
"Now in the morning I sleep alone"
Lucifer is also called the Morning Star.
"People couldn't believe what I'd become."
Lucifer was also God's favourite Angel before his betrayal.
Now hear this-I'm not some religious zealot.I'm not even Christian but I study religions.It's plain as day to me that this song is about Lucifer's fall from grace.