B1 · Intermediate

Viva La Vida — Coldplay

Practice Past Simple vs Present Perfect, power vocabulary and contrast.

🅵 Grammar focus: Past Simple vs Present Perfect · Contrast: used to vs now

💡 How to use: Watch the video, read the lyrics below, check the grammar notes. Double-click any word to look it up and save to your dictionary.

🎤 Lyrics with Grammar Notes

📚 Key Vocabulary

authoritypower to give orders
isolationstate of being alone
legacysomething left behind
collapsesudden failure/fall
reignperiod of rule
I used to rule the world, seas would rise when I gave the word used to rule = past power
Now in the morning I sleep alone sleep alone = current isolation
Sweep the streets I used to own sweep = clean · used to own = past possession
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing bells a-ringing = continuous sound
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing are singing = Present Continuous

🧠 Song Quiz

Test your understanding of the lyrics and grammar.