Coldplay Lyrics Viva La Vida (Death and All His Friends)

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

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 go there was never
Never an honest word
And 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 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 Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

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
But that was when I ruled the world

Meaning: Religious reference: When Christ died, he went to hell and took the keys of death and hell from Satan. If you listen to the words (My mirror, my shield, my sword)...It sounds like My mere soul is in Sheol (a.k.a hell) and missionals (not my missionaries) are in spread throughout foreign lands. Remember it's not always what the songwriter writes but how one listens and interrprets the words. Led Zepplin did this in some of their songs where words didn't make sense on paper but when you hear it, its another sentence in its entirety.

Christ didn't role the dice, the soldiers cast lots for his clothes when he was on the cross. Christ was scared when he went to the cross but he did it out of obedience. When he went to the cross out of obedience, Satan's dominion failed. Hence how he lost the keys and his kingdom fell through Christ's sacrifice. (one king dead, another lives). Though its written as sand, if you listen, he says salt. (Lot's wife Sodom & Gomorrah), canyons of the earth are made of salt..Salt is sand.
Think about it... Satan is still King of this earth until Christ returns and establishes his righteous dominion over mankind.(Book of Revelation)..St. Peter calls on Christ often, but Satan will not be called by St. Peter.

Meaning: Historical: Viva la Vida (Spanish for Long Live Life or Live the life) takes its name from a painting by 20th century Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The album's artwork features the painting Liberty Leading the People (La Liberté guidant le peuple) by French painter Eugène Delacroix, commemorating the July Revolution of 1830.