I used to rule
the world
Seas would rise when I gave the world
Now in the morning I sweep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice,
fear the fear in my enemy's eyes,
listen as the crowd would sing,
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 castle stand
Upon pillars of salt, pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman cavalry choirs a-singing
Be my mirror,
my sword and shield
My visionaries in the foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
What you've got, it was never,
never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
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'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a long,
lead string
Oh, who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing,
Roman cavalry choirs a-singing.
Be my mirror, my sword and shield,
my missionaries in a battlefield.
For some reason I can't explain,
I know Saint Peter will call my name.
Never an honest word,
but that was when I ruled the world.
But that was when I ruled
the world