The Meaning behind Viva La Vida (Cold Play Song) Options

[AEROFORCE1]

Ok I here is its lyric
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4N8OvOhwZw

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sweep 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 sand, pillars of sand

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
(Ohhh)

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?

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 will call my name
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

Hear Jerusalem bells are ringings
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 will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh"

There are so many argue about its meaning. In general I though its about the great man who fall from the top. I believe its really relate to the politic
Some would think its about American politic about bush like in this VDO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmmPvhc_h20...feature=related
Some would think its related to the Christianity

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's 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 sentance in its entirety.

Christ didn't role the dice, the soldiers casted 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 doninion failed. Hence how he lost the keys and his kingdom failed 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 come and set up his dominion.(Book of Revelation)..St. Pete calls on Christ often, but Satan will not be called by St. Pete.

So what do you think about the message from coldplay?

This post has been edited by AEROFORCE1: Jun 17 2008, 02:35 AM

[tangawizi]

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.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm...t_le_peuple.jpg

I think the song is about Bin Laden, actually.... leading a bold revolution, but sweeping the floors in Afghanistan-Pakistan caves wondering about the days when his company ruled the Saudi construction industry?

This post has been edited by tangawizi: Jun 17 2008, 03:15 AM

[AEROFORCE1]

I think they mention about how things changed in the world especially US economic. Kinda encourage people revolution against capitalist that the rich can squeeze as much as they can. Sound little bit communist right?

[tangawizi]

Yeah, but not communism... sounds totally like the revolutionary Bin Laden who is anti-pope!

[AEROFORCE1]

Yeah, but not communism... sounds totally like the revolutionary Bin Laden who is anti-pope!

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sweep 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 sand, pillars of sand

I think it can also applied to those expriminster expresident like Mr Thaksin of Thailand or Mahathay of Msiatoo. They recall the moment of greatest twice a day for sure. And their power gone like a wind

[supernovasp]

Well since the cover of the CD is the French Revolution, I would guess the person is King Louis XVI, but the song can applied to any disposed political powerheads...

[mikekk86]

Songmeanings.net

http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=...822107858719657

Great place to figure out songs that go along with your current life....or find out what someone's song on Myspace really means. LOL.

[Sincerelyfedup]

To who ever said this is about bin laden or about king lou..are they able to control the seas?
those people never ruled the world, and according to the holy bible, Jesus rejects those who follow "god of this world" and accepts those who are "thirsty''. Also the lyric is I know saint Peter WONT call my name. I orignally thought the latter but I was until I researched the lyrics.

It is true, never an honest word is when he rules. Thru lies. Makes you wonder why God hates lies? It's because he can't rule over you thru lies. But in truth, well that's another ball game. Moving along others may be thinking, well what's good music out there without satanic messages. I wish I knew. Especially when these songs sound great.

This post has been edited by Sincerelyfedup: Mar 1 2010, 08:33 AM

[coolbeans265t9]

I don't really know. Strangely enough, we talked about the meaning of this song in class today (I know... pretty weird), and our teacher brought up the possibility that this song could be relating the Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth. I mean it makes sense... the main character was once on top until some evil/dark force enticed him to follow another path until neither he nor his peers could recognize who is was or what he was becoming. And that was his biggest mistake, leading to his downfall. But at the same time, I just personally think that this song is more related to the basic story/theme that if somebody abuses their power, and somehow along the way falls under corruption, they are the only thing that leads to their failure. I don't know. Its just an idea...

[coolbeans265t9]

or this could also be about hitler, and how he rose to the top, but became too power hungry... and that eventually lead to his fall. AGAIN just a rough idea, don't go into too much detail, because they won't completely line up. they are not parallel, just similar in some ways...

[mushrooms]

Songmeanings.net

http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=...822107858719657

Great place to figure out songs that go along with your current life....or find out what someone's song on Myspace really means. LOL.

Just to think, only 2 years ago, Myspace was still relevant. Now it barely gets mentioned at all.

I think this song's general theme concerns a spiritual recalling/'rebirth' after falling from your sins...in a nutshell.

This post has been edited by mushrooms: Mar 25 2011, 11:06 PM