Voicing: SATB a cappella, handbells
By John W. Becker
There is no more often repeated prayer in all of Christianity than "Lord, have mercy," from the Greek "Kyrie eleison." This ancient biblical text is set in chant style for alternating choir sections supported and punctuated by a handbell ostinato. While it works well for choirs in procession, it is also effective when sung by the choir in place as music for a clergy entrance.