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

Listened 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

Missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain

Once you'd gone there was never

Never an honest word

And that was when I ruled the world



It was a 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 St Peter won't call my name

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world



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 St Peter won't call my name

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world





Written by Guy Berryman, Jon Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.

Produced by Markus Dravs, Brian Eno and Rik Simpson.

Recorded in a bakery, a nunnery, a magic shop, a church.

Sonic landscapes by Brain Eno.

Colours and additional production by Jon Hopkins.

All strings by Davide Rossi.

Supporting players: Matt McGinn and Crispin Robinson.

Engineering and recording assistance: Andy Rugg, Dan Green,

Brian Thorn, Olga Fitzroy, Francois Chevallier, Jan Petrov, Jason Lader,

Michael Trepagnier, Vanessa Parr, Dom Monks and Will Hensley.

Mixing by Michael H. Brauer, Rik Simpson 

and Andy Wallace, John O'Mahoney and Markus Dravs.

Mastering by Bob Ludwig with thanks to George Marino.

Published by Universal Music Publishing MGB Ltd.