Lyrics
I used to rule the world
I used to be in control of everything
Seas would rise when I gave the word
The seas would obey my command
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
Now, in the morning, I am lonely
Sweep the streets I used to own
I clean the streets that were once mine
I used to roll the dice
I used to take risks and make decisions
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
I could sense fear in my enemies
Listen as the crowd would sing
I enjoyed the crowd cheering for me
Now the old king is dead, long live the king
The old king is dead, and a new one reigns
One minute, I held the key
I once had the key to power
Next the walls were closed on me
Then, suddenly, I faced imprisonment
And I discovered that my castles stand
I found that my achievements were fragile
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
My success was built on unstable foundations
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
I hear symbolic bells from Jerusalem
Roman Cavalry choirs are singin'
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
Referring to something as a mirror, sword, and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
Missionaries represent support in foreign endeavors
For some reason, I can't explain
Unable to explain a crucial reason
Once you'd gone, there was never, never an honest word
After your departure, no truthful words were spoken
And that was when I ruled the world
That was the time when I held power
It was a wicked and wild wind
A destructive and untamed wind blew through
Blew down the doors to let me in
Doors were knocked down to grant me entry
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
Windows shattered, accompanied by the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
People were astonished by my transformation
Revolutionaries wait
Revolutionaries are anticipating my downfall
For my head on a silver plate
They await my figurative head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
I am merely a puppet controlled by external forces
Oh, who would ever want to be king?
Questioning the desirability of being a king
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Reiteration of symbolic Jerusalem bells
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Continuation of Roman Cavalry choirs singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
Request for support as a mirror, sword, and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
Missionaries still providing aid in foreign lands
For some reason, I can't explain
Unable to explain a mysterious reason
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
No expectation that Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
Devoid of honest communication
But that was when I ruled the world
Reflecting on the time when I ruled the world
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Repetition of a melodic refrain
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Continued repetition of the melodic refrain
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Further repetition of the melodic refrain
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Continued repetition of the melodic refrain
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Reiteration of the melodic refrain
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Reaffirmation of symbolic Jerusalem bells
Roman Cavalry choirs are singin'
Reiteration of Roman Cavalry choirs singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
Request for continued support as a mirror, sword, and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
Missionaries persist in aiding foreign endeavors
For some reason I can't explain
Reiteration of the unexplained mysterious reason
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Expectation that Saint Peter will not acknowledge me
Never an honest word
Continued absence of honest communication
But that was when I ruled the world
Reflecting on the time when I ruled the world
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