[Verse 1: Chris Martin]

I used to rule the world

Seas would rise when I gave the word

Now in the mornin', I sleep alone

Sweep the streets I used to own

[Verse 2: Chris Martin]

I used to roll the dice

Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes

Listen 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

[Chorus: Chris Martin]

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'

Roman cavalry choirs are singin'

Be my mirror, my sword and shield

My 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

[Verse 3: Chris Martin]

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 (Mmm, mmm)

Aw, who would ever wanna be king?

[Chorus: Chris Martin]

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'

Roman cavalry choirs are singin'

Be my mirror, my sword and shield

My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason, I can't explain

I know Saint Peter won't call my name

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world

[Bridge: Brian Eno, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland & Will Champion]

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh

[Chorus: Chris Martin, Brian Eno, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland & Will Champion]

(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)

Hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'

(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)

Roman cavalry choirs are singin'

(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)

Be my mirror, my sword and shield

(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)

My missionaries in a foreign field

(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)

For some reason, I can't explain

(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)

I know Saint Peter won't call my name

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world

[Outro]

Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm

Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm

Mmm, mmm