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 enemies' 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 castle stands 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 My missionaries in a foreign field For some reason I can't explain Once you'd gone it was never, never an honest word 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 lonely string Oh...who would ever wanna be king I hear Jerusalem bells were ringing Roman Cavalry choirs were 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 (Whoa...) Here Jerusalem bells were ringing (Whoa...) Roman Cavalry choirs were singing (Whoa...) Be my mirror, my sword and shield (Whoa...) My missionaries in a foreign field (Whoa...) For some reason I can't explain (Whoa...) I know St. Peter won't call my name Never an honest word But that was when I ruled the world