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Reflecting on the Impactful Musical Themes of FFXIV

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In celebration of the upcoming release of Endwalker's theme, we're taking a quick look at a few of the impactful songs released for FFXIV throughout the game's history.

This post contains spoilers for expansions prior to Endwalker. If you are not fully up-to-date with the Main Scenario Questline, we recommend proceeding with caution.

Answers

First up is Answers, the main theme of A Realm Reborn. Composed by the beloved Nobuo Uematsu, this track seems to portray an important message that Hydaelyn is leaving to those who seek to protect Eorzea. 

Answers features the vocal talent of Susan Calloway, a singer, songwriter, and pianist who has previously worked with Uematsu on Distant Worlds, a traveling Final Fantasy concert series performed by a symphony orchestra, choir, and distinguished vocal soloists.

Quote

I close my eyes, tell us why must we suffer
Release your hands, for your will drags us under
My legs grow tired, tell us where must we wander
How can we carry on if redemption's beyond us?

To all of my children in whom Life flows abundant
To all of my children to whom Death hath passed his judgement
The soul yearns for honor, and the flesh the hereafter
Look to those who walked before to lead those who walk after

Shining is the Land's light of justice
Ever flows the Land's well of purpose
Walk free, walk free, walk free, believe...
The Land is alive, so believe...

Suffer (Feel) Promise (Think) Witness (Teach) Reason
(Hear) Follow (Feel) Wander (Think) Stumble (Teach) Listen
(Speak) Honor (Speak) Value (Tell) Whisper (Tell) Mention
(Hope) Ponder (Hope) Warrant (Wish) Cherish (Wish) Welcome
(Roam) Witness (Roam) Listen (Roam) Suffer (Roam) Sanction
(Sleep) Weather (Sleep) Wander (Sleep) Answer
Sleep on

Now open your eyes while our plight is repeated
Still deaf to our cries, lost in hope we lie defeated
Our souls have been torn, and our bodies forsaken
Bearing sins of the past, for our future is taken

War born of strife, these trials persuade us not
(Feel what? Learn what?)
Words without sound, these lies betray our thoughts
Mired by a plague of doubt, the Land, she mourns
(See what? Hear what?)
Judgement binds all we hold to a memory of scorn
Tell us why, given Life, we are meant to die, helpless in our cries?

Witness (Feel) Suffer (Think) Borrow (Teach) Reason
(Hear) Follow (Feel) Stumble (Think) Wander (Teach) Listen
(Blink) Whisper (Blink) Shoulder (Blink) Ponder (Blink) Weather
(Hear) Answer (Look) Answer (Think) Answer together

Thy Life is a riddle, to bear rapture and sorrow
To listen, to suffer, to entrust unto tomorrow
In one fleeting moment, from the Land doth life flow
Yet in one fleeting moment, for anew it doth grow
In the same fleeting moment
Thou must live
Die
And know

Dragonsong

Next, we have my personal favorite, Dragonsong, the main theme of the Heavensward expansion. Featuring the incredible talent of both Uematsu and Calloway, Dragonsong describes the history of Ishgard while calling for the end of the Dragonsong War.

As a veteran player, it is impossible to forget hearing this theme during the battle with Nidhogg, a crucial moment in 3.0's main story.

Quote

Children of the land do you hear
Echoes of truths that once rang clear
Two souls intertwined
One true love they did find
Bringing land and heavens near

But flames that burned full bright soon fell dark
Memories dimmed by shadowed hearts
In the waxing gloom
Did wane the lovers' moon
Watching as their worlds drift apart.

One soul's cry
A passion welling within
Sacrifice
A final plea to her kin

Yet this bond of hope
By treachery was broke
Scattering her words to the wind

Swelling overlong
Seas of blood are a song
And death an afterthought
To those who fight for naught

A throne lying empty
A reign incomplete
Alone for eternity
A pain without cease

Children of the land answer this
Why must you turn to empty bliss
Tell me why break trust
Why turn the past to dust
Seeking solace in the abyss

Tell me why create
A circle none can break
Why must you let go
The life you were bestowed
This I fear I'll never know
Never know...

Revolutions

Revolutions, the theme of Stormblood, is yet another track brought to life by Uematsu and Calloway. While listening to the song, you can hear Calloway calling for the upcoming revolution that the Warrior of Light must lead against the Garlean Empire.

Quote

Sing a song of dawn
Dawn, the day reborn
Breathe deep of the dawn before the storm

This hearth
This home
Wrested forth from tired fingers
Bathed in blood
And sealed in stone

Souls scarred
Twelevefold
Beckoned by the bells of vengeance
Spirits bold

A lover lost
A family torn
A solemn pyre raised to rouse the slumb'ring heavens

Fire in your eyes and
Fire in your hearts
Steeled as you sound the horns of war

Yet know the cost
for who shall mourn
When light is quenched that another might burn brighter?

Let not the rays
Of justice blind
E'er trust in grace and she shall guide

Soft is the breeze that can set a petal free
And yet 'tis the storm that doth see the petal soar
High o'er the trees in the throes of liberty
'Til unstirring skies consign her to memory

One kingdom's fall is another kingdom's freedom
One sovereign's war is another sovereign's peace
One mother's pride is another mother's sorrow
their tears both soak the land that they love

Two lives
Two swords
Given in to shadowed whispers
Wicked words

Pray tell me true─
Doth louder toll
A rivals' cry
Or the oaths that spur her onward?

Your time is come
A choice bestown
Tonight, for bygone sins atone
This night, you need not walk alone

Tomorrow and Tomorrow

Composed by Masayoshi Soken and performed by Amanda Achen-Keenan, Tomorrow and Tomorrow is one of Shadowbringer's main themes. The track plays throughout the Shadowbringers Main Scenario Questline, in addition to the ending cutscene. The lyrics remind us to not forget all we've been through on our journey, especially those who can no longer be a part of it.

Quote

For whom weeps the storm
Her tears on our skin
The days of our years gone
Our souls soaked in sin
These memories ache with the weight of tomorrow

Who fights?
Who flies?
Who falls?

Stand tall, my friend
May all of the dark lost inside you find light again
In time tumbling, turning we seek amends
Eternal winds to the land descend
Our journey will never end

From those who've fallen to those who rise
A prayer to keep us ever by your side
An undying promise that we just might
Carry on in a song

Pray don't forget us, your bygone kin
With one world's end does a new begin
And should our souls scatter unto the wind
Still we shall live on

Stand tall, my friend
May all of the dark deep inside you find light again
This time, tumbling, turning we make amends
Eternal winds from the land ascend
Here to lift us that we won't end

Endwalker

Last but certainly not least, we can hear a snippet of 6.0's theme in the recently uploaded Endwalker launch trailer. Endwalker's theme features the musical talents of the Primals, FFXIV's official band led by Sound Director Masayoshi Soken, and Sam Carter, lead singer of the British metalcore band Architects.

That's all for today's musical recap! To find more lyrics for the defining songs of FFXIV, you can check out the official Final Fantasy XIV Developers' Blog. Be sure to also keep an eye out for the official release of Endwalker's theme, which is currently available for preorder in vinyl form.

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