"Viva la Vida" Lyrics Thread

[freddyfu123]

The lyrics proves they are one of the best bands in the world!

[Magnus]

what do you guys think the tekst is about:P? somethink deep, or ? want to hear you opinnions:)

 

 

Well, it's hard to say what exactly it's about, I guess everyone can interpret it their own way, Coldplay likes to write in metaphores.

 

My guess is they talk about life, thinking that you're in control when you actually aren't, that sort of stuff. After all, the songs title is ''Long Live Life'' ;)

[alyssa]

It's "sleep alone", not "sweep alone", innit?

[Uchiha_Shadow]

It's "sleep alone", not "sweep alone", innit?

 

Agreed. And "sweep" on the second line.

 

I also think it's "pillars of salt (and) pillars of sand" - not twice "pillars of sand"

 

EDIT: Here we go:

 

"Viva la Vida"

 

[Verse 1]

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

 

[Chorus]

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 know there was never, never an honest word

That was when I ruled the world

 

(Ohhh)

 

[Verse 2]

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 wanna be king?

 

[Chorus 2]

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

And that was when I ruled the world

 

(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

 

[Chorus 3]

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

 

(Ooo Ooo Ooo)

[Uchiha_Shadow]

As for the meaning... it's being sung from the perspective of someone who was in power, but he was evil (St Peter won't call his name - he can't go to heaven / he never ruled with an honest word). Then there was a revolution, people want his head on a silver plate. Now he's got a crappy job (sweeping the street).

 

Of course I realize very well that this isn't all meant in a literal way - like Magnus said it's about being in power and losing power/control of things.

 

EDIT: As for "pillars of salt" - the one I corrected - it has a religious context, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt#In_religion

 

"There are thirty-five verses which reference salt in the English translation of the Bible (King James Version), the earliest being the story of Lot's wife, who was turned into a pillar of salt when she disobediently looked back at the wicked cities of Sodom (Genesis 19:26). When King Abimelech destroyed the city of Shechem he is said to have "sowed salt on it;" a phrase expressing the completeness of its ruin."

[RunForTheHills]

Agreed. And "sweep" on the second line.

 

I also think it's "pillars of salt (and) pillars of sand" - not twice "pillars of sand"

 

EDIT: Here we go:

 

"Viva la Vida"

 

[Verse 1]

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

 

[Chorus]

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 know there was never, never an honest word

That was when I ruled the world

 

(Ohhh)

 

[Verse 2]

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 wanna be king?

 

[Chorus 2]

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

And that was when I ruled the world

 

(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

 

[Chorus 3]

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

 

(Ooo Ooo Ooo)

Yes, I think you've got the lyrics spot on there!

I like them ALOT.

[*Becky*]

these are really great lyrics, even better than Violett Hill!!!

[Fixed]

I've often been scared to write lyrics that are quite poetic, but after hearing Viva, Violet Hill and A Spell, I'm not 'scared' anymore. These lyrics are so poetic, visual, beautiful. I feel so inspired! Good work on getting the lyrics down too :D

[bresc]

I think he says work instead of word at the end of the song ("never an honest work").

 

i agree.. he says 'never an honest word' in the first verse, and 'never honest work' in the second and third...

[Uchiha_Shadow]

i agree.. he says 'never an honest word' in the first verse, and 'never honest work' in the second and third...

 

You're both right, my bad - I didn't read the part about "the end" of the song, so I thought he wanted to replace it everywhere. After hearing "word" in the first chorus I figured he heard wrong, but you're right, the second and third time around he appears to be saying "work".

 

So, can we all agree on this version?

 

"Viva la Vida"

 

[Verse 1]

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

 

[Chorus]

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 know there was never, never an honest word

That was when I ruled the world

 

(Ohhh)

 

[Verse 2]

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 wanna be king?

 

[Chorus 2]

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 work

And that was when I ruled the world

 

(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

 

[Chorus 3]

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 work

But that was when I ruled the world

 

(Ooo Ooo Ooo)

[Guest LiquidSky]

awwwwww thanks for the lyrics! This song rocks! I love it :D

[Guest LiquidSky]

You're both right, my bad - I didn't read the part about "the end" of the song, so I thought he wanted to replace it everywhere. After hearing "word" in the first chorus I figured he heard wrong, but you're right, the second and third time around he appears to be saying "work".

 

So, can we all agree on this version?

 

"Viva la Vida"

 

[Verse 1]

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

 

[Chorus]

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 know there was never, never an honest word

That was when I ruled the world

 

(Ohhh)

 

[Verse 2]

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 wanna be king?

 

[Chorus 2]

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 work

And that was when I ruled the world

 

(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

 

[Chorus 3]

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 work

But that was when I ruled the world

 

(Ooo Ooo Ooo)

 

sounds about right...

[Uchiha_Shadow]

You know what, I'm not sure yet about the "Once you know there was never, never an honest word" line. He doesn't seem to be saying "know" ... it sounds more like "go" or "gone" or something (yes I know that doesn't make sense). I just can't make "know" out of it.

[Icewolf]

Just one thing I noticed, I'm not sure about the first chorus, but in the second and third, he says, "Roman Catholic", not "Roman Cavalry".

[CRYSTAL]

it was such an artistic song and Chris voice was so deep like searching about some unknown answer like....

 

really i can't make that lyrics even i listened a lot of times loud....

 

great of you, you came up with lyrics.

thanks.

[Stefan8]

In Chorus 2 I think he sings But that was when I ruled the world instead of And that was when I ruled the world

[Knotty]

The first chorus he sings

"Once you'd gone there was never, never an honest word"

 

And the second chorus he definitely sings "Roman Catholic"

 

So, so incredible a song.

[the_escapist]

awesomeeeeee lyrics, awesome songs!!!

 

it's COLDPLAY day!

 

feels like a party!!!:laugh3:

[faithworld]

I agree that "Once you know" doesn't seem to be quite accurate. "Once you'd gone" seems more like it for sure. I still can't agree with the Roman Catholic thing though. I hear Cavalry every time.

 

And I think it's definitely pillars of salt, pillars of sand. The sandy foundation has religious references too.

[eFlat]

Awesome job guys! I'm glad I got this started so soon, what a great song!

[polkahard]

I never hear 'Roman Catholic'...I think he's most definitely singing 'calvary' every time.

[Stefan8]

"Viva la Vida"

 

[Verse 1]

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

 

[Chorus]

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'd gone there was never, never an honest word

That was when I ruled the world

 

(Ohhh)

 

[Verse 2]

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 wanna be king?

 

[Chorus 2]

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 work

But that was when I ruled the world

 

(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

 

[Chorus 3]

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 work

But that was when I ruled the world

 

(Ooo Ooo Ooo)

[eFlat]

Didn't the iGoogle images show that it was "bells A ringing"?

[cold25]

exelente gracias

[Miha]

I think it's A ringing 'cause the igoogle image was like that.