Saturday, March 07, 2009

Viva la Lida by Coldplay

This is one of my favorite songs, Viva la Lida, by Coldplay. Here are the lyrics below. They are filled with spiritual themes. So, do you think this song is pro-spirituality or against spirituality?


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

2 comments:

Amye said...

This is one of my favorite songs too. Thanks for posting the video and lyrics...Good question about the spiritual nature of the song. It seems prospirituality to me while warning against the evils and pitfalls of earthly kingdoms, but I am sure there are many other possible interpretations.

James Nored said...

Thanks, Amye, for your thoughts. And your taste in music! I like your interpretation. As you say, there are indeed many different interpretations of this song floating around on the internet.