
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
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

I hear Jerusalem bells are 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 go there was never, never a 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 are ringing
Roman Calvary 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 Saint Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world


Rebel red carnation,
grows while I decay


Liberty Leading the People (French: La Liberté guidant le peuple) is a painting of the Romantic era by the French artist Eugène Delacroix, commemorating the July Revolution of 1830 that toppled King Charles X.

Will you tell me what you saw,
and I’ll tell you what you missed
When the ocean met the sky
You missed when time and life shook hands
and said goodbye
When the Earth folded in on itself


The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I’ve said too much
I set it up

The world begins to disappear –
The worst things come from inside here

Notes & References
🎼 Song Excerpts
I’ll Pretend My Ship’s Not SinkingI'll get over you, I know I will, I'll pretend my ship's not sinkingSource: King Of Wishful Thinking by Go West
Rebel Red Carnation, Grows While I DecayRebel red carnation, grows while I decaySource: Chlorine by Twenty One Pilots
The Lengths That I Will Go ToThe lengths that I will go to The distance in your eyes Oh no, I've said too much I set it upSource: Losing My Religion by R.E.M.
The Worst Things Come From Inside HereThe world begins to disappear - The worst things come from inside hereSource: Einstein on the Beach by Counting Crows
When the Earth Folded In on ItselfWill you tell me what you saw, and I'll tell you what you missed, when the ocean met the sky - You missed when time and life shook hands and said goodbye - When the Earth folded in on itselfSource: Ocean Breathes Salty by Modest Mouse











