Coldplay - Viva La Vida Guitar Chords, Lyrics, Tabs & Meanings

Well, I downloaded this album pretty late, and so it took me a while to post this song here..

The song's Spanish title, "Viva la Vida" is taken from a painting by 20th century Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It directly translates into English as "Live Life," meaning "long live life".

When asked about the song, bass guitarist Guy Berryman said, "It’s a story about a king who’s lost his kingdom, and all the album’s artwork is based on the idea of revolutionaries and guerrillas."

Unlike the typical arrangement of Coldplay songs, in which either the piano or guitar dominates, "Viva la Vida" mostly consists of a string section playing the song's upbeat riff, along with a steady bass drum beat, percussion (including a timpani and a church bell), bass guitar, and Chris Martin's vocals; there is limited use of electric guitar in the song. All the strings are arranged and performed by violinist Davide Rossi, who is also one of the main collaborators of the album.

Chords are pretty simple for this song, please leave your commens for Coldplay Viva la Vida guitar chords, lyrics


Coldplay - Viva La Vida Guitar Chords, Lyrics, Tabs & Meanings

C  D  G  Em (x2)

           C        D
I used to rule the world 
            G                   Em
Seas would rise when I gave the word 
                       C     D
Now in the morning I sweep alone 
             G              Em
Sweep the streets I used to own

C  D  G  Em (x2)

           C        D
I used to roll the dice 
          G                 Em
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes 
                C          D
Listen as the crowd would sing: 
         G                 Em
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"


              C        D
One minute I held the key 
          G                   Em
Next the walls were closed on me 
                          C        D
And I discovered that my castles stand 
      G                   Em
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand 


Chorus:
   C              D
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing 
 G             Em
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing 
 C                 D
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield 
    G                 Em
My missionaries in a foreign field 
 C                 D
For some reason I can't explain 
G                     Em               C      D
Once you go there was never, never an honest word
          Bm               Em 
That was when I ruled the world 

C  D  G  Em  (x2)

                       C    D
It was the wicked and wild wind 
               G              Em
Blew down the doors to let me in. 
                           C         D
Shattered windows and the sound of drums 
        G                    Em
People couldn't believe what I'd become

          C      D
Revolutionaries wait 
        G                Em
For my head on a silver plate 
                    C        D
Just a puppet on a lonely string
    G                         Em
Oh who would ever want to be king? 

Chorus:
   C              D
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing 
 G             Em
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing 
 C                 D
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield 
    G                 Em
My missionaries in a foreign field 
 C                 D
For some reason I can't explain 
    G                     Em              
I know Saint Peter won't call my name ,
          C      D 
never an honest word
              Bm               Em 
But that was when I ruled the world  


C Em C Em C Em D-D D-D D D-D D-D D (x2)



C  D  G  Em  (x2)
(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)


Chorus:
   C              D
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing 
 G             Em
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing 
 C                 D
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield 
   G                 Em
My missionaries in a foreign field 
C                 D
For some reason I can't explain 
  G                     Em              
I know Saint Peter won't call my name ,
          C      D 
Never an honest word
              Bm              Em 
But that was when I ruled the world  

C    D Bm     Em              
Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh ( Repeat to fade )