OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

Featured In

Listen to Elton John by Elton John
ALBUMElton JohnElton John
Listen to Elton John Essentials featuring Elton John
PLAYLISTElton John EssentialsApple Music Pop
Listen to Love Songs Essentials featuring Elton John
PLAYLISTLove Songs EssentialsApple Music Romance
Listen to ’70s Soft Rock Essentials featuring Elton John
PLAYLIST’70s Soft Rock EssentialsApple Music ’70s
Listen to Classic Acoustic featuring Elton John
PLAYLISTClassic AcousticApple Music Acoustic
Listen to ’70s Love Song Essentials featuring Elton John
PLAYLIST’70s Love Song EssentialsApple Music Pop
Listen to Classic Love Songs featuring Elton John
PLAYLISTClassic Love SongsApple Music Romance
Listen to Love featuring Elton John
PLAYLISTLoveApple Music Romance
Listen to Timeless Love Songs featuring Elton John
PLAYLISTTimeless Love SongsApple Music Oldies
Listen to Music Inspired by ‘1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything’ featuring Elton John
PLAYLISTMusic Inspired by ‘1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything’Apple Music
Listen to Sing: ’70s featuring Elton John
PLAYLISTSing: ’70sApple Music

Top Songs By Elton John

Similar Songs

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Elton John
Elton John
Vocals
Clive Hicks
Clive Hicks
Guitar
Dennis Lopez
Dennis Lopez
Percussion
Frank Clark
Frank Clark
Acoustic Bass Guitar
Les Hurdie
Les Hurdie
Bass Guitar
Terry Cox
Terry Cox
Drums
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Elton John
Elton John
Songwriter
Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Songwriter
Paul Buckmaster
Paul Buckmaster
String Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Gus Dudgeon
Gus Dudgeon
Producer
Robin Geoffrey Cable
Robin Geoffrey Cable
Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
No man's a jester playing Shakespeare
Round your throne-room floor
While the juggler's act is danced upon
The crown that you once wore
[Verse 2]
And sooner or later
Everybody's kingdom must end
And I'm so afraid your courtiers
Cannot be called best friends
[Chorus]
Caesar's had your troubles
Widows had to cry
While mercenaries in cloisters sing
And the King must die
[Verse 3]
Some men are better slaying sailors
Take my word and go
But tell the ostler that his name was
The very first they chose
[Verse 4]
And if my hands are stained forever
And the altar should refuse me, yeah
Would you let me in?
Would you let me in?
Would you let me in?
Should I cry sanctuary?
[Chorus]
Caesar's had your troubles
Widows had to cry
While mercenaries in cloisters sing
And the King must die, yeah
The King must die
King must die
Oh yeah
[Verse 5]
No man's a jester playing Shakespeare
Round your throne-room floor
While the juggler's act is danced upon
The crown that you once wore
[Outro]
The King is dead
The King is dead
The King is dead
The King is dead
Long Live the King
Written by: Bernie Taupin, Elton John

Shazam Footer

Select language:

Company

Legal

Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Chrome Web Store
Galaxy Store

Follow Us

© Copyright 2025 Apple Inc. and its affiliates | Supplier Responsibility
instagramSharePathic_arrow_out