The words to "Kyrie" were written by lyricist John Lang who co-wrote the songs on all of Mr. Mister's albums. The music was composed by Richard Page and Steve George while on tour with Adam Ant.
"Kýrie, eléison, down the road that I must travel
Kýrie, eléison, through the darkness of the night"
Kýrie, eléison means "Lord, have mercy" in Greek, and is a part of many liturgical rites in Eastern and Western Christianity. Kýrie, eléison; Christé, eléison; Kýrie, eléison is a prayer that asks "Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy". According to Page the entire song is, essentially, a prayer.
There is a myth that singer Richard Page wrote this song while lying in a hospital bed following an unprovoked attack. John Lang has stated that he was the one who was attacked, three years before "Kyrie" was written, and that the incident has nothing to do with the song.
The video for this song was directed by Nick Morris, and features the band in performance mixed with footage taken at the tail end of their Fall 1985 tour with Tina Turner.
Kyrie
Mr. Mister Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kyrie Eleison
Kyrie
The wind blows hard against this mountain side
Across the sea into my soul
It reaches into where I cannot hide
Setting my feet upon the road
My heart is old, it holds my memories
My body burns a gemlike flame
Somewhere between the soul and soft machine
Is where I find myself again
Kyrie Eleison, down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison, through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison, where I'm going, will you follow?
Kyrie Eleison, on a highway in the light
When I was young I thought of growing old
Of what my life would mean to me
Would I have followed down my chosen road
Or only wished what I could be?
Kyrie Eleison, down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison, through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison, where I'm going, will you follow?
Kyrie Eleison, on a highway in the light
Kyrie Eleison, down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison, through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison, where I'm going, will you follow?
Kyrie Eleison, on a highway in the light
Kyrie Eleison, down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison, through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison, where I'm going, will you follow?
Kyrie Eleison, on a highway in the light
Kyrie Eleison, down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison, through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison, where I'm going, will you follow?
Kyrie Eleison, on a highway in the light
Kyrie Eleison, down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison, through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison, where I'm going, will you follow?
The Mr. Mister song Kyrie has a very distinctive sound that immediately draws in the listener. The song speaks about the journey of life and the search for meaning and purpose. The lyrics ask Kyrie Eleison, which means "Lord have mercy" in Greek, to guide the singer as he travels down the road of life. At the beginning of the song, the wind blowing hard against the mountain side represents the challenges the singer is facing in life. The sea that reaches into his soul represents his deeper self, which he cannot hide from, and sets his feet upon the road of life.
The singer acknowledges that his heart is old and holds his memories, while his body burns a gemlike flame. He finds himself somewhere in between the soul and soft machine, which represents the inner turmoil he struggles with and trying to come to terms with his external reality. The first verse ends with Kyrie Eleison being called upon to guide him through the darkness of the night.
The second verse speaks about the singer contemplating about growing old and wondering what his life would mean to him. He muses about whether he would have followed the chosen road he had planned for his life, or only wished what he could be. He ends the verse by once again asking Kyrie Eleison to guide him down the road he must travel.
Line by Line Meaning
Kyrie Eleison
A plea for mercy to God
The wind blows hard against this mountain side
The difficulties in life are overwhelming
Across the sea into my soul
The struggles are deep within and overwhelming
It reaches into where I cannot hide
The struggles are unavoidable and uncover hidden emotions
Setting my feet upon the road
The struggles have given direction and purpose
My heart is old, it holds my memories
The past is not forgotten and shapes the present
My body burns a gemlike flame
Despite hardships, the passion for life remains strong
Somewhere between the soul and soft machine
The struggle between physical and spiritual aspects of life
Is where I find myself again
Through the pain and struggle, one realizes their true identity
When I was young I thought of growing old
Reflecting on life's journey and how it has played out
Of what my life would mean to me
Considering the significance and purpose of one's life
Would I have followed down my chosen road
Questioning if one has stayed true to their intended path in life
Or only wished what I could be?
Wishing for greater potential or circumstances in life
Kyrie Eleison, down the road that I must travel
Acknowledgment that the difficult journey must continue
Kyrie Eleison, through the darkness of the night
Request for mercy and guidance through challenging times
Kyrie Eleison, where I'm going, will you follow?
Asking for divine guidance on the path ahead
Kyrie Eleison, on a highway in the light
Hope for a bright future despite the struggles
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Ross Lang, Richard James Page, Steven Park George
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KittyStarlight
@@melanier3479 I always knew what Kyrie Eleison meant but missed knowing that that was what the song said, until 2019 when I found a video of it on YouTube that actually had the words.
Gives me chills a bit too.
Knowing that.
Changes the whole song, is certainly true.
Heard this song when I was young in the '80's, already loved the song and the tune then but could not make out most of the words.
Now I think of it as one of the "Kyrie" pieces of music although it is not an actual church song.
Beautiful words, beautiful tune, beautiful song, beautiful singing, beautiful video.
Glad to hear that you feel the same way.
Just thought I'd let you know. ☺️
@victorpeirce4753
Who's listening to this awesome song in 2O24 ??.. Its the most uplifting song. I love it.💯
@nancyglem
Happy New Year 🎉 2024
@victorpeirce4753
@@nancyglem Happy New Year to you too Nancy. Hope you have a great 2O24. 😀 I will be playing this song tonight through my stereo.💯%
@shawnpatrick5843
One of my favorite 80s 💎.
@isabellaliko6270
Still listening to this in 2024 🙌🏻
@emilypoole5686
Always one of my favorite
@lisaschafer8163
Who else gets goosebumps hearing just the opening notes?????!!!!!!❤
@deadbydawn745
Meeeeeee!!! 🤩
@paulscott4883
Most people have no idea how great the 80’s were. It was an honor.
@willritter4076
I'd be honored if some 80s fans would take a listen to my acoustic piano & vocal YT performances of SISTER CHRISTIAN by Night Ranger, AGAINST ALL ODDS by Phil Collins, and PURPLE RAIN by Prince in tribute to the era of legendary power ballads. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Peace and stay safe in the '020s.