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 are singin'
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason, I can't explain
Once you'd gone, there was never, never an 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
Aw, who would ever wanna be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
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

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman Cavalry choirs are 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


Lyrics submitted by zsub, edited by mike, christianbro9p, otac0n, stevenbol1, Adatasha, KeroseneFire, wolfkirby, maddie2325, Conbear1026

Viva La Vida Lyrics as written by Guy Rupert Berryman Christopher A. J. Martin

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Viva la Vida song meanings
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    My Interpretation

    Ok. I have one thing to say. This reminds me sooo much of The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan! I know, I know. I'm another Greek Geek. But whatever. I listen to this almost daily, and I see the lines: "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 immediately think about how Apollo used to be a Greek god, and how he had the power to do anything he wants. Now he's alone in the world as a mortal, and he's doing chores that normally he would send demigods to do! "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" OK. These lines... he used to do WHATEVER! No problem, be in several places at once, whatever. He used to be able to see, feel, know his enemies' fear. Still with me? He used to be the god of music, so a crowd singing relates to that. When Octavian messed with his head, he promised Apollo to make him a king, and overthrow Zeus. New king. He used to have a "key" into Olympus, not anymore, hence walls are closed. His "castle"(self-security and carelessness) falls basically on top of him, like they were built on sand and salt. I'm not going to go on, or'd we be here forever, but I think you get the point. You like? I hope you see it like I do! ;)

    SilverDeserton December 12, 2017   Link

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