The King Must Die
Regal Demise: Elton John's Poetic Reflection on Impermanence
Lyrics
No man's a jester playing Shakespeare
No one is a fool acting in a Shakespearean manner
Round your throne room floor
Around the floor of your throne room
While the juggler's act is danced upon
While the juggler's performance is carried out
The crown that you once wore
The symbol of authority and power you once possessed
And sooner or later
Eventually, every ruler's reign will come to an end
Everybody's kingdom must end
Expressing fear that those around you may not be true friends
And I'm so afraid your courtiers
Referring to courtiers as individuals in the royal court
Cannot be called best friends
Suggesting that courtiers may not be genuine or loyal
Caesar's had your troubles
Pointing out the challenges and difficulties faced by leaders like Caesar
Widows had to cry
Highlighting the sorrow and mourning of widows due to conflicts
While mercenaries in cloisters sing
Reference to mercenaries singing in religious establishments
And the King must die
Stating that even the powerful king is mortal and must face death
Some men are better staying sailors
Some individuals are better off remaining sailors (avoiding leadership)
Take my word and go
Advising to take the advice and depart
But tell the ostler that his name was
Informing the stableman about his chosen name
The very first they chose
Suggesting that his name was the first chosen by fate or destiny
And if my hands are stained forever
If the speaker is forever marked by guilt or sin
And the altar should refuse me
If the altar (symbolic of salvation) rejects the speaker
Would you let me in, would you let me in, would you let me in
Asking for acceptance or refuge
Should I cry sanctuary?
Considering whether to seek sanctuary and protection
Caesar's had your troubles
Reiterating the challenges faced by leaders like Caesar
Widows had to cry
Reiterating the sorrow and mourning of widows due to conflicts
While mercenaries in cloisters sing
Reference to mercenaries singing in religious establishments
And the King must die
Emphasizing the inevitability of the king's death
Yeah, the King must die
Repetition of the idea that the king must die
The King must die, oh, yeah
Reaffirming the inevitability of the king's death
No man's a jester playing Shakespeare
Reiteration of the idea that no one is a fool acting in a Shakespearean manner
Round your throne room floor
Around the floor of your throne room
While the juggler's act is danced upon
While the juggler's performance is carried out
The crown that you once wore
The symbol of authority and power you once possessed
The King is dead, the King is dead
Declaring the death of the king
The King is dead, the King is dead
Repeating the announcement of the king's death
Long live the King
Wishing for the longevity of the next ruler
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