VIVA LA VIDA
The song's Spanish title, "Viva la Vida" is taken from a painting by 20th century Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It directly translates into English as "alive [is] the life", meaning "long live life". Also known as "Death and all his friends"
EXPLODING THE LYRICS
"Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever wanna be king?"
- This could be a reference to John the Baptist of the New Testament.
- In The Book of Mark, John is noted as the one that comes before Jesus to announce His coming to Earth.
- A lot of people thought he (John) was going to be their Messiah, however he corrected them and told them that it was the One after him that would fill that role.
"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"
- The speaker used to be a king, now he is not.
- Potential reference of someone giving God kingship over his life.
"I know Saint Peter won't call my name"
- The speaker has doubts about going to heaven after he dies.
- Maybe, he may just believe that good, "honest" works won't get him in to heaven.
THE 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
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, 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 go there was never,
never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
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
I hear Jerusalem bells were ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs were 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 honest were
But that was when I ruled the world
Bridge:
Whoaaa (x4)
Bridge and Chorus mix:
(Whoa...) Here Jerusalem bells were ringing
(Whoa...) Roman Cavalry choirs were singing
(Whoa...) Be my mirror, my sword and shield
(Whoa...) My missionaries in a foreign field
(Whoa...) For some reason I can't explain
(Whoa...) I know St. Peter won't call my name
Never honest were
But that was when I ruled the world
Oooh Ooooh Oooh Ooooh...