"Viva la Vida" Lyrics Thread

[Miha]

I think we can be pretty certain about this version (tnx to everybody):

 

 

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 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'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 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 work

But that was when I ruled the world

 

(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

 

[Chorus 3]

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 work

But that was when I ruled the world

[theohoff]

I'm still on the fence on whether or not it's...

 

"I know Saint Peter WON'T call my name"

 

or

 

"I know Saint Peter WILL call my name"

 

From what I gather, this is someone who has finally realized he was wrong, and despite his wrong doings - because of his new understanding - WILL be allowed forgiveness, even though he can't explain why. Why would someone who does wrong NOT be able to explain why Saint Peter won't be calling their name? That doesn't make much sense to me. If you do wrong, you most likely know you're doing wrong and would be pretty sure that you're not on "the list." This is someone, who, because of his actions, SHOULDN'T be allowed salvation/forgiveness, but because he's finally realized he was wrong, will be met with grace, even though he doesn't deserve it. It's a song about realizing that humbleness, meekness and subservience (hence the "missionaries" line) are what really matter... not power. It's the realization that matters, hence, I believe it's...

 

"I know Saint Peter WILL call my name"

 

But who knows. Love the song either way...

[Miha]

I think "St.Peter won't call my name" is more suitable to the song...the person can't explain but he feels he won't go to heaven because he's done so much wrong (he ruled the world)and now he regrets it.

[Nash]

i am agree with miha, i listen won't :)

 

thx :nice:

[lovelight]

Thanks :)

[Open-Politik]

Great lyrics, im impressed!!

[Ultravioletlight25]

I think "St.Peter won't call my name" is more suitable to the song...the person can't explain but he feels he won't go to heaven because he's done so much wrong (he ruled the world)and now he regrets it.

 

Completely agree. I'm hearing "won't call my name"

 

Also check out the LA Times Article. According to the article:

 

References to Catholicism grace the song, and Martin repeatedly declares that Saint Peter won't be calling his name.

 

 

 

Here is the link:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/extendedplay/2008/05/apple-gets-new.html

[owenrees_73]

i think its "word" not "work" in the last two choruses

[chuck kottke]

On violet hill - Looking for a reference, I find in the US Presidential race a search brings up "The Race to Captain a Sinking Ship".. Could be very telling!

[bresc]

haha getting closer guys... but 'never an honest work' is not gramatically correct... i believe it's 'never honest work' in the 2nd and 3rd choruses.

 

second, i've had many discussions with people over this today and although i agree it would make more sense if he said 'will call my name', since that's more unexplainable than being called to heaven after so much wrongdoing, i'm 100% certain it's 'won't call my name'

[Knotty]

The "once you'd gone" also introduces another person to the story. A partner? Does it mean that when this girl left him he went 'off the rails'?

 

I think it could quite easily be 'will call my name' for the following reasons:

 

As has been discussed in other threads it appears the song is about realising mistakes made when in control/power. The Catholic faith advocates forgiveness.

 

This also fits with the previous line.

 

This ALSO fits with the line 'BUT that was when I ruled the world', i.e. implying that NOW there ARE honest words/work.

 

I think it probably IS 'will'

[themightyspitz]

I'm likely crazy, but when I first heard this song, I thought of either Napoleon (Could be the album artwork talking) or some generic despotic leader whose rule was based on a combination of religious zealotry and realist politics of "dog-eat-dog". This leader was overthrown, but spared his life - hence "Viva la Vida".

 

That little section from 0.27 - 0.40 feels almost like flashback point...sweeping streets, then pausing to remember.

 

Chorus sounds like it might go like this:

 

I hear Jerusalem bells a'ringing

Roman Cavalry choirs a'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 it was never, never an honest work

That was when I ruled the world.

 

I interpret the you'd gone part as an abandonment by God, or maybe the masses, or whatever power allowed him to achieve such stature. As such, it could result in the later verses saying "I know St. Peter won't call my name". I kinda think it is "won't", since he seems to look back on his rule with some hesitation..."puppet on a lonely string", and "Oh, who would ever want to be king?"

 

HOWEVER, if the song is about a deposed, despotic ruler, then it could still be "St. Peter will call my name", since most rulers like that still feel they were 100% correct, despite how much wrong they did while in rule....the "history will look favorably upon me" argument, so to say. He could have some remorse about his rule, but feels that his humble street-sweeping is fair penance for such wrongs. I personally think "won't" is more correct than "will", but I can see how it could go either way.

 

[i've been studying for a final in EU politics....can you tell? ;) ]

[justsomeboy]

Viva La Vida *Correct Lyrics*

 

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

Listened 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

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

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 St Peter won’t call my name

 

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world

 

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 St Peter won’t call my name

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world

[RunForTheHills]

Looks correct, but there's already a lyrics thread:

http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44470

[Dejan]

so....this song is about.......WHAT ?

[eFlat]

so....this song is about.......WHAT ?

 

Coldplay ruling the world :rolleyes::P

 

 

Haha I have no clue, but I love the lyrics anyways.

[Link]

Just one correction, in the first verse, I'm very certain it says "Sweep the streets I used to roam" instead of "Sweep the streets I used to own". I've thought that since the first time I heard it, and if you listen carefully I'm pretty sure there's an 'm' at the end of the line.

[alexis16]

Just one correction, in the first verse, I'm very certain it says "Sweep the streets I used to roam" instead of "Sweep the streets I used to own". I've thought that since the first time I heard it, and if you listen carefully I'm pretty sure there's an 'm' at the end of the line.

 

 

It certainly sounds like Own! I don't hear roam at all.

[Link]

It certainly sounds like Own! I don't hear roam at all.

Meh, I just listened to it very carefully and yeah, I'm wrong. My bad!

 

I have a feeling I'll sing it with roam forever though, that's how I've heard it from the start, and it's hard for me to change what I sing when it seems like it fits.

[maj039]

"roam" FOR SURE and I say "will", sometimes sounds like "wont" though......

 

and honest "word" or "war"

[Silverspira]

I love the lyrics! Fucking brilliant! :lol:

[Zu]

so....this song is about.......WHAT ?

 

after I read the lyrics, I got the impression Chris was inspired by fame and the lost of it. Like, when soembody is famous and is "IN" at that moment, everybody will say good things about you and to you but never an honest word, and then, when the 15 minutes have passed, you find yourself out of that world, pushed away by those who used to adore you and realizing they were never honest with you.

 

Thanks for the amazing job in the lyrics by the way! and I have to say I really really liked this song, the strings are amazing... :)

[malcolmataylor]

Perfecto.

 

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

Listened 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'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

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 St Peter won’t call my name

 

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world

 

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 St Peter won’t call my name

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world

[vivacoldplay]

Here's what we have so far (Thanks everyone!):

 

"Viva la Vida"

 

[Verse 1]

I used to rule the world

Seas would rise when I gave the word

Now in the morning I sweep 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 sand, pillars of sand

 

[Chorus] 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 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 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

And that was when I ruled the world

 

(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

 

[Chorus 3]

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

 

(Ooo Ooo Ooo)

thanks, good work.

nice lyrics. :)

[maybe2cavalier]

Meaning

 

I agree with the person above... I think it is about being famous and rich ...but more than that I think it is about Coldplay themselves. Because Coldplay was one of the most popular bands in the world then just as fast as they became popular everyone except a select few hated them. For example, in 40 year old virgin they say, "You know how I know your gay? You listen to coldplay. I read some where that this CD was supposed to be Chris' response to all the bandwagoners that left when things weren't so great. Who knows I would like to just ask him about it to be honest!:D