"Viva La Vida" by Coldplay (Chord Chart)

Song Info

  • Key: F minor,G#/Ab major
  • Chord Family: G
  • Skills: Basic Strumming, Barre Chords, "Accented" Strum, Open Chords

On this site we use a simple and unique system for teaching chords and strumming patterns. To learn about this system, or to see a list of definitions for the "Song Info" terms above, visit our page describing how to read our chord charts.

If you are just starting out on the guitar I would recommend checking out our "G-Whiz" Tutorial and our list of songs in the key of G.

Enjoy!

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INTRO 
C---/(D)---/G---/(Em)--- (x2)

(Em)      C        D                 G                    Em
I used to rule the world, Seas would rise when I gave the word 
                     C       D              G                 Em
Now in the morning I sleep alone, Sweep the streets I used to own
 
C---/(D)---/G---/(Em)--- (x2)

(Em)      C         D             G                 Em
I used to roll the dice, Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes 
              C            D              G                 Em
Listen as the crowd would sing: "Now the old king is dead! Long live
 
the king!"

(Em)         C        D             G                    Em
One minute I held the key, Next the walls were closed on me 
                         C        D
And I discovered that my castles stand 
     G                    Em
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand 

  C              D                  G             Em
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing, Roman Cavalry choirs are singing 
C                 D                    G                 Em
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield, My missionaries in a foreign field  
C                 D
For some reason I can't explain 
G                     Em              C      D
Once you go there was never, never an honest word
         Bm               Em 
That was when I ruled the world 


C---/(D)---/G---/(Em)--- (x2)

(Em)                  C     D                  G               Em
It was the wicked and wild wind, Blew down the doors to let me in. 
                          C        D
Shattered windows and the sound of drums 
       G                     Em
People couldn't believe what I'd become


(Em)      C     D            G               Em
Revolutionaries wait, For my head on a silver plate 
                   C      D          G                         Em
Just a puppet on a lonely string, Oh who would ever want to be king? 


  C              D                  G             Em
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing, Roman Cavalry choirs are singing 
C                 D                    G                 Em
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield, My missionaries in a foreign field  
C                 D                G                     Em              
For some reason I can't explain, I know Saint Peter will call my name,
         C      D                   Bm               Em 
never an honest word. But that was when I ruled the world  


/C---/(D)--- (x3)
/D--- (x2)


C---/(D)---/G---/(Em)--- (x2)

  C              D                  G             Em
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing, Roman Cavalry choirs are singing 
C                 D                    G                 Em
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield, My missionaries in a foreign field  
C                 D                G                     Em              
For some reason I can't explain, I know Saint Peter will call my name,
         C      D                   Bm               Em 
never an honest word. But that was when I ruled the world  


/C---/D---/G---/Em--- (x2)
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