For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
However, the song is powerful because it isn't about any one person who lost everything. People have applied it to God's feeling as He watches people forget Him. People have speculated that it's about Napoleon. I think this song applies best to someone who has been close to God, then forgotten Him, lost everything, and now wants to come back.
Why? Because the only relationship on which everything depends is our relationship with God. When a person is close to God and has confidence in Him, they feel like they rule the world. Nothing rivals a special spiritual experience--no pleasure, no drug, nothing. It's wonderful.
But we have the ability to choose to forget. We do something against God, we choose some cheap thrill or easy road, and He withdraws. We forget how close to Him we felt. And suddenly we feel that there isn't an honest word in the world.
Soon, we lose everything.
But the sound of Viva la Vida isn't one of despair. It is a song about hope. The music creates a feeling of bittersweet determination.
The feeling of a prodigal son who knows his Father is waiting.
