Exposition of Viva La Vida

There are relatively few songs that I can listen to over and over without hating them ever after (three to be exact), and Viva La Vida is one of them. Who knows why this song in particular has gained so much attention? Is it the lyrics, the melody, or just the fact that it gives one shivers down his back to listen to it? I vote all three.

Everyone has his own interpretation, but as far as I can tell, there is not one relevant, official translation. Being Catholic, and having gone to the Holy Land recently, I have nearly found mine. I shan't give you every word of what I think the song means, but only bits and pieces. Every person who has ever heard the song has some idea of his own, and won't thank me for giving a long and detailed account of something quite unwanted, hence I'll only provide a few interesting points. Mind, every note regarding these lyrics is true. Why invent something that's not?

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
The overpowering waves of the Mediterranean- the silent stillness of the Sea of Galilee...
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
In Akko, -the city of the last crusaders- a man slowly treads by in the opposite direction.. his head is down, he walks slowly, caring nothing for the future, only the past. He is sweeping the deserted streets.

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
I found the key. It was broken, lying on the abandoned cobblestone streets which Christ once walked upon.
Next the walls were closed on me
The walls of Jerusalem. To a pilgrim, they do indeed close in. Wandering aimlessly about the Old City, in the heat, the crowds, the hunger.
And I discovered that my castles stand
The castles are churches, long forgotten. Few attend the masses all said in Italian. The incredibility of the cathedrals' and basilicas' beauty surpasses words.
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
Ach, such was the saltiness of the Mediterranean! And such was the sand.


I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Oh, yes! How I heard them ring. Every hour, quarter after, half after, and fifteen till. The air rung with their beautiful sound. I still hear them; they will never stop ringing.
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
I turned around and saw them. All three together- there was the mirror studded with diamonds, and there were the sword and shield- in the hands of a knight.
My missionaries in a foreign field
It was a field of high golden grass, overlooking the Sea of the Galilee; there they wandered under the scorching sun.
For some reason I can't explain
Once you'd gone there was never
Oh yes, you left. Why did you leave me? You knew that I couldn't do it alone; I've waited.
Never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
Clearly, the world is lost. Jerusalem is under the hands of the Jews and Muslims. Where have all the Catholics gone?

It was a wicked and wild wind
First it was friendly, it held the heat of the sun at bay. But growing steadily it became a fearsome rush- is this a voice I hear in it?
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Can you not believe it? I did not wish to be this, but it was not my choice.

Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Oh Saint John, pray for me!
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh, who would ever want to be king?
It was a foolish idea. No one but a fool could imagine that he could tame these....

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 St. Peter won't call my name
Will you forget me, Peter? I made a mistake, and I well deserved the consequences.
Never an honest word
But what is forgiveness for?
But that was when I ruled the world.
Never, never shall I wish for power again.

TIP: The more you yearn for power, the farther you are from gaining it.

The Thought-

Came to me quietly sitting, with nothing on my mind
-as if hypnotized by the beauty of the world-
from every vexation and anxiety I resigned.

I hear the gossipy sparrows, feel the wandering breeze,
See the horsetailed clouds galloping through the sky
watch the wildflowers giving presents to the bees.

Ach! What's this? I just can't get a hold of it...
...seems to be a Thought!
It leaps away in fright, and away from me it flits.

And now I sit here thinking, was it important, this Thought?
Or was it of trivial notice, and worth not a penny to me?
Being of such curiosity, I'll wait here until it's caught.

TIP: Thoughts have wings, be careful unto where you let them fly.