In the ordinary of the Mass, “Kyrie Eleison” means, “Lord, have mercy upon us.” Mr.Mister blazed a trail of hits for about two or three years in the mid-1980s and then flamed out just as spectacularly. They weren’t a one-hit wonder, but as popular as they were, it’s interesting that they went from back-to-back No. 1 hits with “Broken Wings” and “Kyrie Eleison” to dissolution. The lyrics of the song are, basically, a prayer. And, that is unusual because Richard Page told YouTube personality The Professor of Rock that he didn’t want to proselytize or to be seen as a Christian band. But, another band member “twisted his arm” and got him to sing it. Page said that it just “became a thing.”

Indeed, it did. In fact, the entire album called “Welcome to the Real World” was true “lightning in a bottle.” Three of the band’s songs from that album were released as singles, and all three hit the Top 10. This was akin to the performance of Beatles’ songs in that group’s heyday. The story behind the band’s breakup wasn’t spectacular. MCA wanted to go in a “cool, new direction,” and Page noted that the group, with its chart-topping success, was “too commercial.” They received no promotion at all, and their albums after “Welcome to the Real World” never got better than 29th.

The Lyrical Genius

John Lang was Richard Page’s cousin. He couldn’t play or sing, but he could write. He created the lyrics for both “Broken Wings” and “Kyrie Eleison.” Lang said that he fondly remembered the Episcopalian services he attended while growing up in Phoenix. Lang was the aforementioned “arm twister” who got his cousin on board. And, despite Page’s assertion that Mr. Mister was not a Christian band, he did acknowledge that the song symbolizes spiritual journeys. The song is somewhat ambiguous as a prayerful utterance, but the power of Page’s delivery sells it. Millions of folks who’d never been inside a church were singing ancient Greek words about the Lord having mercy on them.

A Lasting Effect

The song shows up in an eclectic collection of television programs and films. These include disparate titles like “Young Sheldon” and “The X-Files.” Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon must be a fan because he’s used it several times on his show. And, in “The Goldbergs,” the song highlights sexual tension. As far as the films go, it was part of the soundtracks of “The Way Way Back” and “The D Train.”

Lyrics

Kyrie eleison
Kyrie eleison
Kyrie elei

The wind blows hard against this mountainside
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 gem-like 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 night

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 night

Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh

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 night

Kyrie eleison down the road that I must travel (Kyrie, will you follow?)
Kyrie eleison through the darkness of the night (yeah)
Kyrie eleison where I’m going, will you follow? (Will you follow?)
Kyrie eleison on a highway in the night

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? (Will you follow?)
Kyrie eleison on a highway in the light

Kyrie eleison down the road that I must travel (Will you follow?)
Kyrie eleison through the darkness of the night
Kyrie eleison where I’m going, will you follow? (Will you follow?)

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Richard James Page / John Ross Lang / Steven Park George

Kyrie lyrics © Wb Music Corp., Ali-aja Music, Indolent Sloth Music, Panola Park Music

Listeners of music from the 1980’s, might also appreciate the song Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.