“Kyrie” is a song by the American pop rock band Mr. Mister, featured on their 1985 album Welcome to the Real World. Released in December 1985, the song quickly rose to prominence, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in March 1986, where it remained for two weeks.
It is notable for its catchy melody and memorable chorus, which incorporates the Greek phrase “Kyrie eleison,” meaning “Lord, have mercy.” This phrase is commonly used in Christian liturgy, adding a spiritual dimension to the song.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Kyrie” Lyrics Meaning
[Intro]
Kyrie eleison
Kyrie eleison
Kyrie
The Greek phrase “Kyrie eleison” means “Lord, have mercy” and is used in Christian liturgies. It serves as a prayer asking for God’s mercy and guidance.
[Verse 1]
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
This verse sets the scene, describing the challenges and difficulties of life’s journey, symbolized by the wind blowing hard against the mountainside and the soul being affected across the sea.
The singer feels exposed and vulnerable, with nowhere to hide, as they set out on the road ahead.
[Verse 2]
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
The singer reflects on their life experiences and memories, which have shaped them. They feel a burning passion inside, torn between the spiritual and material aspects of existence.
Ultimately, they find themselves again on this journey of life.
[Chorus]
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
The chorus is a direct plea to God for help and mercy as the singer travels down the road of life, through both the light and darkness.
They ask God to guide them and to have others join them on this spiritual path.
[Verse 3]
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
As a young person, the singer thought about growing old and what their life would mean.
They wonder if they would have the courage to stay true to their chosen path in life or if they would compromise and settle for less than their full potential.
[Bridge]
Who-o-oa
Who-o-oa
Who-o-oa
Who-o-oa
The bridge provides a moment of reflection and meditation on the themes of the song.
[Chorus]
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
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the singer’s ongoing need for God’s mercy and guidance as they continue their life’s journey, seeking to follow the right path with others who share their faith.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Kyrie”
“Kyrie” is a song that expresses the universal human experience of life’s challenges and the need for divine help and mercy to find meaning and purpose in the face of life’s difficulties.
The title “Kyrie” comes from the Greek phrase “Kyrie eleison,” which means “Lord, have mercy”. This phrase is used in Christian liturgies and prayers.
Richard Page, who wrote the song, described it as a meditative prayer that doesn’t adhere to any specific Christian dogma. He viewed it as a reflection on the insignificance of human actions compared to the vastness of the universe.
The lyrics explore themes of personal growth, life’s journey, and seeking guidance. Lines like “Down the road that I must travel” and “Through the darkness of the night” metaphorically represent life’s path and challenges.
The song’s spiritual nature is evident in lyrics that allude to seeking a higher power for guidance and mercy, such as “Where I’m going will you follow” and the repeated “Kyrie eleison” in the chorus.
Despite its religious undertones, Page was initially hesitant about singing the Christian text, not wanting to make an explicit religious statement. This suggests the song was intended to have a broader, more universal spiritual appeal.
The song’s composition occurred while the band was on tour, which means that it may have been inspired by the experiences of life on the road and the introspection that can come with travel.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.