This song came to mind as my husband and I began our road trip to Glacier National Park, Banff, Jasper National Park, and Vancouver in June of 2019. I was on the other side of my decision to leave my job as a pastor—a career that had taken me 20 years to attain. I had no idea where that decision would lead me. All I knew was that the road I was on was long, dark, and treacherous. It was a road that led me inward, to the deepest places of my heart—where my God-image, identity, and sense of purpose had been formed.
When I looked up the lyrics and researched the meaning behind the song, I found that John Lang, the lyricist for Mr. Mister, wrote it as a prayer. In turn, the song became a prayer that echoed the cries of my own heart—”Lord, have mercy! Christ, have mercy!”
Kyrie Eleison continues to be a prayer I pray to this day. As I have discovered its significance in the liturgy of the Church and to pilgrims throughout Church history, I join with those who have traveled this road long before me—and those who travel it with me now. In times of great distress or acute pain, I whisper, “Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy,” as a way of asking God for his comfort and the strength to carry on.
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 roadMy 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 againKyrie 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 nightWhen 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