bigfootthemidget

let me appologize right now for the length of this response. I agree that there are several allusions to Catholicism in the song lyrics, however I would not go so far as to say that the lyrics revolve around Christ for several reasons. 1.) The lyrics "I hear Jerusalem bells ringing, Roman Calvary Choirs Singing, Be My Mirror my sword my shield, my missionaries in a foreign field, for some reason I can't explain I know St. Peter won't call my Name..." depict a time period after the life of Christ. There were no Roman Calvary Choirs during his life time and the practice of using bells for worship (even in Jerusalem) would not start until 400 years after Christ's life time. a.) The Roman's didn't use them for Pagan worship. b.) The jews didnt, and still dont, use bells in synagogues. c.) Islam wasn't established until 600 years later. A Roman Calvary Choir wouldn't be established until about 350a.d. And, most importantly, St. Peter died AFTER Christ. Why would he call his name in heaven? 2.) The lyrics " 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 (Ooooh) Ah, who would ever want to be king?" Can't reference Christ. When did he become evil, and as I recall HE was the Revolutionary. 3.) The lyrics "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 " implies that the empire he lead fell. Think about it, the reference to salt implies that plant life died out (like in a famine), sand implies the empire fell. Yes, the reference about holding the keys compared to being betrayed with the walls closing in fit, but not with the rest of the song. 4.) The FINAL and most important lyrics to disprove the theory of this song being about Christ are the following: "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 enemies eyes Listen as the crowd would sing: "Now the old king is dead, long live the king!" Notice it says USED to rule the world, didn't happen. As for the seas rising, Jesus walked on water, he didn't part it (I believe that was Moses). Sweeping the streets implies a fall from power. The line about rolling the dice implies taking a gamble to win, doesn't sound very Christ-like. Feeling the fear in his enemies eyes? He never fought, and certainly never used fear tactics. Listening to the crowd sing "Now the old king is dead, long live the King"? Last I checked Jesus was put on Earth to save humanity and spread the word of God, not replace him. Sorry, it just doesn't fit. To be honest I've been debating this one for a while and a European monarch seems for likely. One that commited terrible sins, lost those close to him (yes I'm making the assumption that it IS a man), wanted to atone but knew it wouldn't work. The leader had to live between about 476 A.D (fall of Rome. I dont think its a Roman ruler because they never had Kings, and even when Julie Caesar was in charge it was a Triumvirate, not a monarchy. Besides, Christianity would have to have a firm grip over Europe and since it was the only thing that kept society in order after the fall of Rome I think its safe to say that the referenced person came after Rome), if it was an English Monarch (which would make sense seeing as how the band is from England) it has to be someone between Richard the Lion Heart and Henry VIII (he ended Catholicism in England). If its French....we could go all the way from Clovis to Louis XVI. No German leader makes sense and the Italians were too corrupt most of the time to do much. Im discounting the Popes for obvious reasons. There is a VERY small chance its Mongke Khan (Grandson of Ghengis Khan) seeing as how he controlled the largest empire in the world before the British AND was a devout Catholic. But that's all I've got so far.