Viva la Vida, Hitler Edition

by Chris Rossetti

I THOUGHT that since Kevin Strom mentioned Coldplay’s song Viva la Vida in this week’s ADV, I should post this video based on a tender, moving cover version of the song.

The song, of course, is about a leader of men brought to Earth in defeat, and nothing could be sadder or more poignant than the fall of National Socialist Germany — so it is appropriate that a video artist took some mainstream footage of a “Hitler returned to the present and getting a positive reception” footage (which is supposed to horrify us, of course) and set it to this music. The results are the opposite of horrifying. They are inspiring.

Enjoy!

Here are the lyrics:

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

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.

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Source: Author