A Protest Anthem to the Tune of “Viva la Vida”
Date: September 4, 2025

In the spirit of Occupy 2.5’s fight against authoritarianism, we’ve adapted Coldplay’s anthemic “Viva la Vida” into a rallying cry. Learn the lyrics, grab the chords, and raise your voice—so our children inherit true freedom, and the wicked wealthy tremble.

Lyrics

(Sing these words to the melody and structure of “Viva la Vida” in C Major at ≈138 BPM.)

Verse 1
I heard the tyrants tremble when we raised our voice
Their banners fell to embers, gave the people choice
We marched through every city, banners held up high
No chains could ever bind us, no fear could make us die

Pre-Chorus
Now history’s a story we’ve reclaimed
Their gilded halls are empty, washed away in flame

Chorus
We stand against the fascists, proud and unafraid
We write the tale of freedom, so our kids can be unstayed
And when they see the dawnbreak, all their lies will flee
We fought the cursed and rotten—now we’re truly free

Verse 2
They whispered in our markets, bought our tongues and souls
But we broke through the darkness, rang the rebel tolls
No silver could seduce us, no gilded cage remain
We broke the chains of power, turned their night to day again

Pre-Chorus
Their golden thrones lie crumbling in the dust
A new world rises fearless, built on hope and trust

Chorus
We stand against the fascists, proud and unafraid
We write the tale of freedom, so our kids can be unstayed
And when they see the dawnbreak, all their lies will flee
We fought the cursed and rotten—now we’re truly free

Bridge
Oh, the wealthy wicked scatter
When truth ignites the flame
We’ll carry on together
No tyrant left to claim

Chorus ×2
We stand against the fascists, proud and unafraid
We write the tale of freedom, so our kids can be unstayed
And when they see the dawnbreak, all their lies will flee
We fought the cursed and rotten—now we’re truly free

Outro
We fought the cursed and rotten—now we’re truly free.

Performance & Recording Notes

Chords (Key: C Major)

  • Verses: C – Am – F – G
  • Pre-Chorus: F – G – Em – Am
  • Chorus: C – G – Am – F
  • Bridge: Am – F – C – G

Tempo & Feel

  • 138 BPM, 4/4 time
  • Soft dynamics in verses → build through pre-choruses → soaring, full-band choruses
  • March-style kick/snare on beats 1 & 3; piano/strings for the riff; light guitar strums in chorus

Vocals

  • Clear, slightly gritty protest-folk edge
  • Group vocals or hand-claps on final chorus for extra power

Take action: Learn this anthem. Record your own version. Share it under the ✊ of Occupy 2.5—let it echo in squares, streets, and Bluesky feeds everywhere.

For more resources and marching orders, visit https://endfascism.xyz