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Viva La Vida

Chords

4.821,033 votes

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[Intro]
   C     Dadd11     G     Emx2
[Verse 1]
I used to Crule the Dadd11world
Seas would Grise when I gave the Emword
Now in the morning I Csleep aDadd11lone
Sweep the Gstreets I used to Emown
[Interlude]
   CDadd1      G     Emx2
[Verse 2]
I used to Croll the Dadd11dice
Feel the Gfear in my enemy's Emeyes
Listen as the Ccrowd would Dadd11sing:
"Now the Gold king is dead! Long Emlive the king!"
One minute I Cheld the Dadd11key
Next the Gwalls were closed on Emme
And I discovered that my Ccastles Dadd11stand
Upon Gpillars of salt and pillEmars of sand
[Chorus]
I Chear Jerusalem Dadd11bells are ringing
GRoman Cavalry Emchoirs are singing
CBe my mirror, my Dadd11sword, and shield
My Gmissionaries in a Emforeign field
CFor some reason I Dadd11can't explain
GOnce you'd gone there was Emnever, never an Chonest Dadd11word
That was Bmwhen I ruled the Emworld
[Interlude]
   C     Dadd11     G     Emx2
[Verse 3]
It was the wicked and Cwild Dadd11wind
Blew down the Gdoors to let me Emin
Shattered windows and the Csound of Dadd11drums
People Gcouldn't believe what EmI'd become
RevolutioCnaries Dadd11wait
For my Ghead on a silver Emplate
Just a puppet on a Clonely Dadd11string
Oh, Gwho would ever want to be Emking?
[Chorus]
I Chear Jerusalem Dadd11bells are ringing
GRoman Cavalry Emchoirs are singing
CBe my mirror, my Dadd11sword, and shield
My Gmissionaries in a Emforeign field
CFor some reason I Dadd11can't explain
I Gknow Saint Peter won't Emcall my name
Never an Chonest Dadd11word
But that was Bmwhen I ruled the Emworld
[Interlude]
   C     Emx3
Dadd11   Dadd11
OhChhhhDadd11h         GOhhhEmhhhh
OhChhhhDadd11h        OGhhhhEmhhh
[Chorus]
I Chear Jerusalem Dadd11bells are ringing
GRoman Cavalry Emchoirs are singing
CBe my mirror, my Dadd11sword, and shield
My Gmissionaries in a Emforeign field
CFor some reason I Dadd11can't explain
I Gknow Saint Peter won't Emcall my name
Never an Chonest Dadd11word
But that was Bmwhen I ruled the Emworld
[Outro]
COooooDadd11h       BmOooooEmoh
COooooDadd11h       BmOooooEmoh

The story behind the song

"Viva La Vida" was written by all members of Coldplay for their fourth album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, where the band explored new styles. The song's title, meaning "long live life," was inspired by a Frida Kahlo painting Chris Martin saw in Mexico. The track features a looping string section, digitally processed piano, and gradually added layers, including a church bell sound effect that completed the song's composition. Lyrically, it tells the story of a king who lost his kingdom, incorporating historical and Christian references to reflect on revolution.

AI-written from these sources:Viva la Vida — Wikipedia ↗Coldplay — Wikipedia ↗

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670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Viva La Vida

by Coldplay

Lyrics & chords · Original key

[Intro]

C Dadd11 G Em

[Verse 1]

C Dadd11

I used to rule the world

G Em

Seas would rise when I gave the word

C Dadd11

Now in the morning I sleep alone

G Em

Sweep the streets I used to own

[Interlude]

C G Em

Dadd1 x2

[Verse 2]

C Dadd11

I used to roll the dice

G Em

Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes

C Dadd11

Listen as the crowd would sing:

G Em

"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

C Dadd11

One minute I held the key

G Em

Next the walls were closed on me

C Dadd11

And I discovered that my castles stand

G Em

Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

[Chorus]

C Dadd11

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing

G Em

Roman Cavalry choirs are singing

C Dadd11

Be my mirror, my sword, and shield

G Em

My missionaries in a foreign field

C Dadd11

For some reason I can't explain

G Em C Dadd11

Once you'd gone there was never, never an honest word

Bm Em

That was when I ruled the world

[Interlude]

C Dadd11 G Em

[Verse 3]

C Dadd11

It was the wicked and wild wind

G Em

Blew down the doors to let me in

C Dadd11

Shattered windows and the sound of drums

G Em

People couldn't believe what I'd become

C Dadd11

Revolutionaries wait

G Em

For my head on a silver plate

C Dadd11

Just a puppet on a lonely string

G Em

Oh, who would ever want to be king?

[Chorus]

C Dadd11

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing

G Em

Roman Cavalry choirs are singing

C Dadd11

Be my mirror, my sword, and shield

G Em

My missionaries in a foreign field

C Dadd11

For some reason I can't explain

G Em

I know Saint Peter won't call my name

C Dadd11

Never an honest word

Bm Em

But that was when I ruled the world

[Interlude]

C Em

Dadd11 Dadd11

C Dadd11 G Em

Ohhhhhh Ohhhhhhh

C Dadd11 G Em

Ohhhhhh Ohhhhhhh

[Chorus]

C Dadd11

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing

G Em

Roman Cavalry choirs are singing

C Dadd11

Be my mirror, my sword, and shield

G Em

My missionaries in a foreign field

C Dadd11

For some reason I can't explain

G Em

I know Saint Peter won't call my name

C Dadd11

Never an honest word

Bm Em

But that was when I ruled the world

[Outro]

C Dadd11 Bm Em

Oooooh Ooooooh

C Dadd11 Bm Em

Oooooh Ooooooh

About Viva La Vida Chords by Coldplay

Learn how to play Viva La Vida by Coldplay with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Viva La Vida chords”, “Viva La Vida guitar chords”, or “Coldplay Viva La Vida chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Viva La Vida chords and for experienced players who want accurate Viva La Vida lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Dadd11, G, Em, Bm.

FAQ — Viva La Vida by Coldplay

How do I play "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay free?

Yes. The chords for "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Viva La Vida" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Viva La Vida" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Viva La Vida"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Viva La Vida" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Viva La Vida" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Coldplay below.

What key is "Viva La Vida" in?

The chords for "Viva La Vida" show the original chord names (including C, Dadd11, G, Em, Bm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.