SING FOR THE

WORLD
ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT
FEB
Group Members:
-Christopher M. -Hosea J. E. 08
-Davian G. -Sherline
-Kevin -Petra A.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 02
GENERAL
INFOMRATION The LYRICS
Information regarding the Lyrics of the song.
song’s identity.

03 04
BACKGROUND
STORY GROUP OPINION
Background of how the Our group opinion about the
lyrics came to be. song.
01
GENERAL INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION
TO “VIVA LA VIDA”
Singer : Chris Martin/Coldplay
Composer : Chris Martin, Will Champion, Guy
Berryman, Jonny Buckland
Theme : Historical (The French Revolution)
WORDS THAT SUPPORT THE THEME
“Never an honest world, but that
was when i ruled the world"
The lyrics above depicts the king fallen
from grace, how he went from a savior
to an enemy of his past self and his
people. Just like The French Revolution.
“one minute i held the key, next
the walls were closed on me"
One era, a king, the next, a
prisoner. Just like how King Louis
XVI was overthrown and put in
prison
SHORT EXPLANATION
In Spanish, “Viva La Vida” means “Long Live Life” and is tied to the Delacroix-like painting
portraying the revolutionaries as heroes there are underlying themes of life and death,
regrets, and transformation on the album. 

Potrait of Eugène Delacroix “Liberty Leading the People”

-a painting by Delacroix
02 THE LYRICS
The Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Interlude, etc
of the song.
ViVA LA VIDA’S LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
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
[Verse 2]
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies’ 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
[CHORUS]
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 world
And that was when I rules the world
[VERSE 3]
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 become
Revolutionaries wait

For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Aw, who would ever wanna be king?
[CHORUS]
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 Saint Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest world
And that was when I rules the world
[BRIDGE]
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
[CHORUS]
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 Saint Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest world
But was when I rules the world
 03
BACKGROUND
STORY
BACKSTORY OF THE SONG
"Viva la vida" is often potrayed as an interpretation
of the French Revolution.

Through the final courses of The French revolution,

King Louis XVI’s monarchy was finally overthrown
and the King was imprisoned by his own people,
followed by a swift trial which promptly decided the
fate of the former monarch, that is to be publicly
executed via the guillotine. As the former king was
going to meet death, he stopped to give one final
speech to his people. However, as he began to
speak, the ever so passionate French masses began
to scream and boo, playing the executioner’s drums
louder to drown the sounds of his words. As so,
before King Louis could finish his speech, he was
forced down onto the guillotine and the former king
was executed. His speech, now lost forever.
 04
GROUP OPINION
Our group’s interpretation and personal
opinions on the song
GROUP OPINION
We made our group opinion in a “nutshell” format, perse. So
here are some things we thought about after listening to
“Viva La Vida” by Coldplay.

“Viva La Vida is a very nostalgic song,

1. that reminds you about what you
used to have and how you lost it.

“The song has a deep
2. meaning, containing 4.
elements of politics and
has a complex melody.”
“Powerful. I highly
3. admired how the song 5.
delivered the spirit of
freedom as well as a
hint of sadness.”
“This song tells a story about a king who lost
his kingdom. Even though he’s lost it,
suffered, and went through many obstacles,
the king still had the will to live.”
“The song also teaches us in becoming
leaders, we must think about various
things before taking an action, not for our
own sake, but also for the other people.
END
OF PRESENTATION
Thank you for your attention!