Kyrie Eleison

We went out for lunch at work on Friday and I heard an old song on the radio. It was Kyrie by Mr. Mister. It's one of my favorite songs from the 80's, but I never ever understood exactly what was being sung in the chorus. I thought he was saying "Kyrie lays on" which would make the lyrics (as I heard them):

Kyrie lays on down the road that I must travel
Kyrie lays on through the darkness of the night

I had always thought that Kyrie was a girl who the singer could count on helping him through a bad time. I even remember thinking that the first few words drawn out at the beginning where a mumbled "She believes in me".

But I never knew exactly what they were saying. And it bugged me.

Well, hell. We have the internet now. And I couldn't have been more wrong.

What was being said was "Kyrie Eleison" which is Greek for "Lord, have mercy" and is used in Catholic Mass. Apparently the whole song is a sort of prayer.

My mind. It is blown.

But to me, Kyrie will always be a girl's name.

Kyrie eleison, 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