Coldplay - Viva La Vida: Guitar Chords
Learn to play "Viva La Vida" on your guitar with our chord guide. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.
For easier playing, use our Simplify Chords feature to remove difficult chords like barre.
Intro: C# D# G# Fm - x2 C# D# I used to rule the world, G# Fm Seas would rise when I gave the word. C# D# Now in the morning I sleep alone, G# Fm Sweep the streets I used to own. C# D# G# Fm - x2 C# D# I used to roll the dice, G# Fm Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes, C# D# Listen as the crowd would sing: G# Fm "Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!" C# D# One minute I held the key, G# Fm Next the walls were closed on me C# D# And I discovered that my castles stand G# Fm Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand C# D# I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing, Cm Fm Roman cavalry choirs are singing: C# D# "Be my mirror, my sword and shield, G# Fm My missionaries in a foreign field". C# D# For some reason I can't explain, Cm Fm Once you go, there was never, C# D# Never an honest word G# Fm That was when I ruled the world. C# D# G# Fm - x2 C# D# It was a wicked and wild wind G# Fm Blew down the doors to let me in. C# D# Shattered windows and the sound of drums, G# Fm People couldn't believe what I'd become. C# D# Revolutionaries wait G# Fm For my head on a silver plate. C# D# Just a puppet on a lonely string, G# Fm Oh who would ever want to be king? C# D# I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing, Cm Fm Roman cavalry choirs are singing: C# D# "Be my mirror, my sword and shield, G# Fm My missionaries in a foreign field". C# D# For some reason I can't explain, Cm Fm I know St. Peter won't call my name. C# D# Never an honest word G# Fm But that was when I ruled the world. C# Fm C# Fm C# Fm D# D# C# D# G# Fm C# D# G# Fm C# D# I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing, Cm Fm Roman cavalry choirs are singing: C# D# "Be my mirror, my sword and shield, G# Fm My missionaries in a foreign field". C# D# For some reason I can't explain, Cm Fm I know St. Peter won't call my name. C# D# Never an honest word G# Fm But that was when I ruled the world. You can simplify chords by removing barre | TransposeReset Font SizeReset Guitar Chord DiagramsCm  C#  D#  Fm  G#  Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably. |
If you are also interested in learning how to play "Viva La Vida" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay.