ThirdTerrene

@ mia1970 Your idea about the noble cause is a really good one. The words are inspirational, and I can imagine someone using something like that in a speech. And, as I said, I think that the entire point of the song is that it could apply to any number of rulers. Also, I did research into the circumstances around the album, and there are a lot of references to Latin America and the Mexican (I think?) revolution. The album cover is Liberty Leading the People, and I think that Viva la Revolucion comes from the Mexican Revolution.

Hey, I'm sorry if there was an interpretation like this posted, but I haven't read through the entire thread yet (it's long!). Note: It would be helpful in understanding this if you think of any biblical references as being simple allusions, the same as if they were to make allusion to Greco-Roman mythology. 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 Pretty basic here. He used to be important and powerful, but now he's on the bottom rung of society. 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!" 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 The first two lines expand upon the previous section: he was able to crush his enemies. I think that the crowd's singing is the people rejoicing after any number of revolutions. This is my favorite line because of the irony inherent in it. "Now the old king is dead! Long live the king" seems to me to indicate that after a bloody revolution, things are different, yet the same (Note: I hadn't realized this was a biblical allusion! This may be wrong, but I still love it.) The further lines indicate the the one who revolted was revolted upon. Also, I'm not sure why none of the posts I read mentioned this, but the "pillar of salt" is Lot's wife! I'm not sure what it means, though... >.< 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 not explain Once you know there was never, never an honest word That was when I ruled the world The first several lines sound so Christian that even I'm not sure of what it means now. (-_- <---staunch atheist) I think I'll come back to this once the line-by-line is done. Th final lines are, for some reason easier. I read them as this: I don't know why, but as soon I came to power, I lost my integrity, honesty and morals. This will tie into my main theory. It was the wicked and wild wind Blew down the doors to let me in. Shattered windows and the sound of drums People could not 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? The first three lines describe the revolution that brought him to power. Blown-down doors and shattered windows create an image of a ravaged town, as does the sound of drums. The fourth line is like the final three lines of the chorus: I lost my integrity when I became powerful. Lines five and six describe the time before the revolution that ousted him. The final lines are just him being disillusioned. 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 not explain I know Saint Peter won't call my name Never an honest word But that was when I ruled the world Again with the being unsure about lines 1-4. The last four are easier for me than for other people for some reason: Because I was so horrible when I was in power, I won't go to heaven, or this could just be an allusion to illustrate the point that the narrator won't receive any more "blessings." I think that the BUT is the most distinctive word in this entire song: I was dishonest when I "ruled the world," but now that I'm a lowly peasant, I have my integrity back. Right, now it's time for my theories about this song. I think that it's a commentary about most systems of government. Downtrodden serfs see a vision of a paradise where everyone is an equal, they revolt, oust the current monarch, and replace him. ("'Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!'" However, the new system stagnates and the new monarch becomes corrupted, causing other serfs to become unhappy. ( "People could not believe what I'd become" "never an honest word; That was when I ruled the world" "Revolutionaries wait, for my head on a silver plate" ) An example of this, in real life, would be the many dynasties of China. An old society would be overrun by invaders, who, over time, would become another bloated, old society, which would be invaded by more people, etc. Expanding on the "Systems of Government" theory, this song is about how the narrator was corrupted by the power he hand held, despite his previous convictions. However, once he was removed from power, he found that he had returned to his former honesty. The message of this would be, of course, "Power Corrupts." If you want to read into it even more (read into messages that aren't there :laugh3:), then this song could be supporting anarchy. In my interpretation, it comments on the uselessness and corruption inherent in all systems of government, no matter how pure the initial motives of those in power are. This could also explain the title: Viva la Vida. This could be an allusion to the famous line "Viva la revolucion!" which means "Live the revolution!" This song is about being disillusioned with both governments and revolutions telling people to simply "Live the life," without any rulers, instead of trying to make a system work. P.S. Death and All His Friends is a reference to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Death, War, Pestilence, Famine, Victory, whatever they are. I just realized that I have no explanation for the first part of the chorus. HOLY **** THIS IS A LONG POST!