Again the words are what draw me.  Great lyrics, great story arch. 

I once told someone, "I've been poor before, I can handle it, you can't."  This song makes me think of the hardship we all endure when we suffer from hubris.  Just look at the world we live in.  From Michael Jackson's Neverland Estate being sold at auction because he overspent, to those middle class people across America losing homes in this housing crises.  When will we ever realize the grass isn't always greener and when will we learn to be happy with what we have?

And at worst... Enjoy the good while you have it. It may not always last.  Coldplay sums it up here in a way...

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

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
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 are ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you know there was never, never an honest word
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
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest work
But that was when I ruled the world

Hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

In some lite research I found Chris Martin, Coldplay's front man and lyricist chose the title Viva La Vida based on the Frida Kahlo painting below. She had a long suffering life yet choose to make the best of it (positive energy) and expressed her indomitable spirit on the painting below in the words, "Viva la vida" which in English means long live life.  

The song lyrics above make perfect sense to me.  A man whom had it all lost it all, and in the ashes of everything he's lost he knows life goes on.  The song is a expression or reflection of melancholy and wishful thinking over what had been.  It's that knowing that "life goes on" where he measures the meaning of losing it all.

But hey, I've been poor before.  I can handle it.  What would you do if you had a it all and lost it all?  You can find that answer in the book of Job in the Old Testament if you are God fearing person.  Otherwise you may consider the value of relationships.

Viva l vida my friends.