Mr. Mister’s “Kyrie” Lyrics Meaning

Even though it is not generally interpreted as such, at the end of the day it has been asserted that Mr. Mister’s “Kyrie” is more or less a prayer. More specifically the phrase “Kyrie eleison”, which is repeated throughout the track, actually is Greek. When translated to English, it means “Lord have mercy”. And it is the opening line of a traditional prayer in certain parts of Europe. So we know that to some extent, the addressee of this song is actually God Himself.

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Mr. Mister's Kyrie at Lyrics.org.

But there is a particular reason he is appealing directly to the Most High. The way the story reads is that his heart is compelling him to venture into the unknown. Or stated alternatively, he has a spiritual yearning to set out into the open world in search of his destiny. And in acknowledgement of the inevitable dangers and uncertainties which lie ahead, he is asking for God’s mercy. Or more to the point, he anticipates the need for divine favor and assistance as being essential in actually succeeding at this life-threatening goal. And as such, he is attempting to establish the necessary rapport with God from the onset.

But unless you know Greek, the religious nature of this track is not necessarily forthcoming. Yes, even without knowing what “Kyrie eleison” means we can still pickup that the narrator is about to embark on a spirit-inspired journey. But more to the ultimate point is that he is trying to secure the backing of God in order to successfully complete this endeavor before taking off and throughout his mission.

Lyrics of "Kyrie"

Facts about “Kyrie”

RCA Records released “Kyrie” in 1985. The label issued it as the second single from the band’s bestselling album titled “Welcome to the Real World”. It should be noted that this album also produced the hit song “Broken Wings“.

Three writers are credited with writing “Kyrie”. They are are John Lang alongside Mr. Mister’s Richard Page and Steve George.

Meanwhile the entire band produced the track in conjunction with Paul De Villiers.

“Kyrie” topped the Billboard Hot 100 as well as Canada Top Singles. It also made it to number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and in general charted in almost 15 nations.

The music video, which centers on a live performance by Mr. Mister as well as some pre-show footage, was directed by Nick Morris. The experience was initially marked by Richard Page as being depressed during the filming due to a bad review the band had just received in the L.A. Times.

29 Responses

  1. Useless knowledge is better than ignorance says:

    I used to love that song when I was a kid but never quite knew what he was saying . Knew the title of the song , but still had no idea what it was about . I’m 46 or 47 now and wouldn’t mind not knowing how old I am if folks didn’t keep reminding me , and am just now realizing what it was about . Pretty interesting . Had no idea it had depth to its meaning . Thanks that kinda makes me like the song again for better reasons though than the things I liked as a kid that had a tendency to be vain . Thanks .

    • Matty Ice says:

      I am the same, singing this in the Subaru Brat heading down the hils of CO the chorus was about as crisp as a Snap, Crackle, and Pop a day old in a bowl of milk. No clue then, but very cool to reflect on it now.

    • D.Von says:

      Ha! I’m 72 and it’s in my favorite playlist…. Along with Broken Wings

  2. Anonymous says:

    Very powerful song. It is truly one of my favorite prayers.

  3. Eileen says:

    Love this song. Love GOD. This is about our journey to seek and find him. I, finally, found him, with all my heart,
    and love to serve and worship GOD on earth. BEAUTIFUL!

    • Anonymous says:

      Enjoy your Delusion.

      • Tim McCully says:

        Those who doubt the reality of God have deluded themselves about the very character of this world. Yes, much here now distracts us from God’s awesome sevenfold goodness of Genesis One. Keep reading the next two chapters. Most of all: notice God’s goodness everyday, it is the gentle wonderful evidence of God’s fearful Holiness. Notice God’s spoken Word alone was sufficient to provide all good. Jesus the Christ, God’s Word reborn in the flesh, sacrificed in certain death, raised again to eternal Life is our only Hope.

      • Dan says:

        Noticed the date of your post. WOW. I have no words for you.

      • Sue says:

        Brave enough to be rude but not use your real name.
        “Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
        Including you. But because of your hatred for God it will be too late for you to repent.
        You indeed are the one deluded.

        • Matty Ice says:

          Looking around the world today, its difficult with the pain, the hurt, the divide, the wars, rights without responsibilities for us let alone that which we should yield to God.

          I have stopped church for the past 3 years. The hole I feel in my heart is real – time to return to basics.

  4. JUSTIN BATTLE 416 831 3537 says:

    The song is power, mainly the chorus, but does it have anything to do with a sold out show in a park with attractive people, and a venture back to a slut fest on a street called “mark” in aurora ontario? Anyways I play it loud at the bar there and give the boys some good times, love and attention, love the ascending bass line.
    A hit in the mosh pit! So punch on to the song and leave the crowd stiff, well… one must remain to back go to the shack eh. Am I right? Let me know…

    • Anonymous says:

      In the solemn, archaic words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen, “I LIKE SONG FOR POWER SLUT SO GOOD I ENJOY MAKE SLUT POWER; I WASN’T EVEN BORN UNTIL THE NEW TESTAMENT” – Genesis 5:19

  5. WILLIAM LUCAS says:

    I LOVE SINGING IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND I AM ALSO TAKING SPANISH IN SCHOOL AND FOR THE WHOLE SONG ALL I HAVE TO SING IS THE WORDS KEYRIE ELESION

  6. Tim says:

    I bought this cassette in 11th or 12th grade and I absolutely loved it. I listened to it again at age 53 and I wondered what I was thinking…

    • Captain Howdy says:

      Yeah I have to wonder why an old, beat down by life, douchebag would feel the need to write that ignorant comment in the 1st place. what’s up with you ya big fairy? unlike your bald, paunchy, a-s….if I like a song I don’t try to act above it all later in life. it was good then and remains so. I bet you golf too! wife left you after 20 years for a better deal. so tell us oh sage one, what do you listen to now? BTW I’m 58 and glad I’m not like you. still rockin a 6 pack and not a member of the HAIR CLUB FOR MEN.

      • Duderino says:

        A little agro, bro. Is Tim not allowed to have an opinion different from yours? You need to really lower yourself to ad hominem attacks? ‘Says a lot more about you than Tim’s comment says about him.

    • Anonymous says:

      Never bought the song, never knew what they were saying, always thought it was way too repetitive and boring so I’d change the channel. Ultra idiotic name for a group too. Mr. Mister? Please. Agree with Tim here, why on earth did people buy this song?

    • Sue says:

      Perhaps you are no longer able to enjoy something with the ring of decency?

  7. Lisa says:

    I named my daughter Carrie but I spelled it k e a r y because I didn’t look at it on the song because I was in the understanding it did mean God be with you as you go

  8. Lisa says:

    My daughter I named her keary after this song but did not look at the spelling of the word until after the fact really bums me out because I knew then I was under the understanding and meant God be with me as I go basically beautiful song.

  9. Tim McCully says:

    I am writing about the sevenfold good God of Genesis One (for SevenfoldGood dot org) and just realized how that describes why God is fearfully Holy, as in 2 Samuel 6. Then I “randomly” felt like playing and understanding this very song.

    Kyrie eleison down the road that I must travel, Lord!

    Because “Kyrie eleison” itself is the prayer “Lord, have mercy”, this very video may be the oldest of modern evangelical Christian praise song videos, such as collected on my Lyrics.com page. King David might well dance in his underwear to it (2 Samuel 6).

    • Nina says:

      I agree. The song includes the depth of God. It’s not a typical pop/rock song. It’s a prayer of showing the way to go, Lighting the road to the destiny.

  10. Maree EDGTTON says:

    When the Catholic Mass was in Latin –
    Kyrie Elaison – Lord have mercy
    Christa Elaison – Christ have mercy

    Coming home in the car this afternoon it was playing
    on the radio – ABC Bris. I loved the song back in the ‘80’s. Hadn’t heard it for years – I was singing at the top of my voice – felt great!! Still got IT@72😃

  11. Half Cack says:

    Well done Tim. I won’t add anything. Sue, absolute truth. Non believers will say this, bowing their knee, Jesus is Lord. Then be thrown. Thank both of you. There was never a choice for us. Non believers, some were created (born unto) perdition. I can never cross that line of everyone has the choice. I can’t claim the worst title, already taken, but very bad. Comparing today with that past would be like telling a joke. God sent me to Jesus. Thank you. I hope you get to read this someday. We walk by faith, not by sight.

  12. Joel S says:

    Great song. I always knew the meaning of Kylie eleison since I was born and raised Catholic. I often chuckled with some of the people I knew that weren’t believers but loved the song and sang out loud to the lyrics. If they only knew :). Cranked it up on the radio when I was having a bad day or going through a difficult time and always brightened my mood.

  13. Denzil says:

    I am 75 years old, believe it or not I have only realised the meaning (and correct spelling) of the phrase “Kyrie eleison” today……yet I have enjoyed this song immensely every time I have heard it. In mitigation, I am not a catholic, or an anthing for that matter.

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