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 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 a-ringin' Roman cavalry choirs are singin' Be my mirror, my sword and shield My missionaries in a foreign field For some reason I can't explain Once you'd gone, there was never Never an honest word And that was when I ruled the world It was the 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 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 a-ringin' Roman cavalry choirs are singin' Be my mirror, my sword and shield My missionaries in a foreign field For some reason I can't explain Once you'd gone, there was never Never an honest word And that was when I ruled the world Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh Never an honest word And that was when I ruled the world