This song is about the french revolution. Perhaps the meaning is different but the words are about Louis xvi. Viva la Vida is a corruption of French. And the picture on the album cover is of the french revolution. My proof of that is the french flag is in the background. Whether there is a hidden meaning is up for debate but the words are 100% for sure about Louis xvi. (revolutionaries wait for my head on a silver plate is because the new government attempted to behead the former king for example) But I would believe that the reason the words reflect the latter life of Louis xvi would be metaphorical for what happens to people who get too much power. (which is why saint peter won't call his name).

I have actually found the proper name, umm it was supposed to be Louis xiv (the 16th not the 14th. My bad) And I have found someone who can be a little more specific than I so I will quote an old post here. "by baldy54 on Dec 12, 2008 at 01: 55 pmshow +1 King Louis 16th would have liked this song. The song would be his heart's cry before being guillotined along with his wife Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution 1789. It is said that King Louis' Cabinet of Advisors were losers/self serving creeps ("never an honest word"). Notice the cd cover is a famous depiction of the French Revolution. " I think his last line kinda makes it obvious, but baldy54 does hit the nail right on the head here. I can actually understand those of you who imply biblical reference (I'm a christian I totally understand what you might mean) But I think they are a bit over-read-into. This is the most direct literal interpretation I can think of. (That is if the cover doesn't give it away) And also the words "Viva la Vida" are french (or a corruption thereof). Sorry for separating the posts, I came across the information just too late.

I've actually gotten some expert information about this, but the song is actually about one of the kings of france. "thelyricman" was really close here. You see France underwent a few republican revolutions, (The number eludes me) but in any terms they tended to be bloody. I am not exactly sure which king and subsequent revolution this song refers to but I've heard possibly Louis xiv (unconfirmed) The phrase, "Revolutionaries wait; for my head on a silver plate" actually (this is agreed on by my sources) refers literally to the revolutionaries of france who beheaded the king and all who were close to him. Literally they were waiting for his head to by chopped off and presented to them. I got this from someone extremely educated in world history (he's actually a history teacher) so you could trust this answer quite well. Other lyrics of the song, as already said such as "I know saint peter won't call my name" does refer to his tyrranical acts. You can take all of the words literally and they do actually fit this interpretation. It doesn't require a lot of extra thought to figure out how "Oh, who would ever wanna be king" fits into that category. I would like to give good credit to some of the other meanings and I do admit many seem fitting, but in any case there are contradictions and opinions involved and also many far-fetched interpretations on the meaning. But this I guarantee fits the words without fail. Thanks!