Coldplay
Viva la Vida lyrics
- Language
- English
- Level
- Intermediate
- Released
- 2008
- Genre
- Pop
- Length
- 4:03
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the mornin', 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-ringin'
Roman cavalry choirs are singin'
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 wanna be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman cavalry choirs are singin'
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-ringin'
Roman cavalry choirs are singin'
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
Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com
Key vocabulary
- when
- at what timeB1
- gave
- past of giveA1
- mornin
- morning (informal)
- crowd
- many people togetherA2
- string
- long thin lineB1
- upon
- onB1
- fear
- unpleasant worryA2
- rise
- go upA2
- seas
- large bodies of salt waterA2
- used
- worn or previously employedA2
Test yourself
How much of Viva la Vida did you catch?
A quick quiz on the key words from this song.
About this song
Coldplay is a British rock band that plays art rock and alternative pop. Formed in London in the late 1990s, they are known for arena-sized, atmospheric songs such as “Clocks” and for an evolving catalog from Parachutes through Viva la Vida, Mylo Xyloto, Everyday Life, and Music of the Spheres.