I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'Roman Cavalry choirs are singin'Be my mirror, my sword and shieldMy missionaries in a foreign fieldFor some reason I can't explainI know Saint Peter won't call my nameNever an honest wordBut that was when I ruled the world
The song ends with the repetition of the chorus to help end off the song with a catchy melody.
Never an honest word
Repetition to further emphasise how he was surrounded by lies which ultimately led to his downfall.
For some reason, I can't explainOnce you'd gone, there was never, never an honest word
"For some reason, i cant explain" tells me that the speaker does not understand where he went wrong and how his downfall happened. "Once you'd gone, there was never, never an honest word' suggests that there was possibly a trusted person or friend who had the people's trust.
Now in the morning, I sleep aloneSweep the streets I used to own
"Now in the morning, I sleep alone" tells me that the speaker feels lonely possibly because of his lost of power. "sweep the streets i used to own" uses visual imagery to show how bad the downfall was. I think the speaker feels embarrassed.
I used to rule the worldSeas would rise when I gave the word
"I used to rule the world" tells me that the speaker was powerful and was of status. "seas would rise when i gave the word" uses visual imagery to further show that the persona was so powerful he could even control nature.
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
As saint peter is usually referred to as the 'keys to heaven'. "i know saint peter won't call my name" tells me that the speaker is not confident in going to heaven because of his previous actions or sins he commited.
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'Roman Cavalry choirs are singingBe my mirror, my sword and shieldMy missionaries in a foreign field
Repetition to further emphasise his forgotten success as a king and forgotten achievements.
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'Roman Cavalry choirs are singin'
These two lines use visual imagery and tells me that they are celebrating what possibly could be a battle they had just won upon returning to their kingdom. Uses rhymes " ringin' " and " singin' ".
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
"Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes" tells me how he was in so much power, he could 'sense' the enemies being afraid
My missionaries in a foreign field
"missionaries on a foreign field" tells me they had fought and won multiple battles on enemy territory.
One minute, I held the keyNext the walls were closed on me
"one minute, i held the key" tells me that for a short period of time, had control over everything. "Next the walls were closed on me" uses visual imagery to show how he feels lost or trapped. These two lines tell me how quickly things come and go.
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Listen as the crowd would sing" tells me he was a fan favourite among the people.
Revolutionaries waitFor my head on a silver plate
"Revolutionaries wait" tells me that the people have lost all faith in him and are making efforts to get rid of him. "For my head on a silver plate" shows that they have no mercy and will only be satisfied if he is executed.
Shattered windows and the sound of drumsPeople couldn't believe what I'd become
"Shattered windows and the sounds of drums" uses visual imagery and suggests that people might have started to turn and rebel against him. "People couldn't believe what I'd become" tells me that there were people still confused and unsure about what had happened.
It was a wicked and wild windBlew down the doors to let me in
"It was a wicked and wild wind" tells me that something happened beyond the speaker's control. "Blew down the doors to let me in" suggests that he was suddenly forced out of power.
Just a puppet on a lonely string
"Just a puppet" tells me that the speaker was being controlled and manipulated. "on a lonely string" tells me that he is left alone with no one to support him.,
Aw, who would ever wanna be king?
"who would ever wanna be king?" tells me that when people witness his tragedy/downfall, they would avoid being king to avoid the same fate.
For some reason, I can't explain
Repetition to further emphasise on his confusion as to where and how he went wrong.