Song Lyrics in FFXIV: Compilation, Discussion, and Interpretation

[Trunks]

Oh, certainly. I did not mean to dispute that - only that it referred to Azem at all. Indeed, if it’s entirely Elidibus’s song, that can’t be the case - he doesn’t remember Azem in the present, and he was one with Zodiark when the schism occurred.

Ordinarily I would agree that it’s ‘his theme’. But the post releasing the lyrics said specifically: “These lyrics are supposed to represent the characters involved in the Patch 5.3 trial. Those who became incapable of bringing things to an end, and those who arrived to bring closure.”

But the clincher, to me, is the word “indecision”. I just can’t see any interpretation where that verse fits Elidibus.

Such is the joy of art, though, yes? We can all listen to the same song and each hear different things. :-)

[Vulcwen]

But the clincher, to me, is the word “indecision”. I just can’t see any interpretation where that verse fits Elidibus.

Actually, that part very much could refer to Elidibus, if you consider it as looking back on the past (with his memories intact, like after we beat him).

My interpretation of that verse:

"Rock of ages, we cast the first stone" > Zodiark, we took the first step (either by summoning him, or by suggesting the sacrifice of new life)
"In our cages, we know not what we do" > Trapped in faith, we don't know what we do

"Indecision here at the crossroads" This refers to the conflict between letting the new life Zodiark created live, or sacrifice them to bring back what was.
"Recognition, tomorrow's come too soon" Elidibus recognized that he was needed, he seperated from Zodiark and needed to find a solution quickly (hence his obsession)

"Follow blindly like lambs to slaughter" The Ascians, still stuck in faith, couldn't resolve the conflict with words, setting the stage for their extinction.
"At the mercy of those who ply the sword" > At the mercy of those that summoned Hydaelyn.

"As our song wends dead underwater" > And as the star gets sundered
"We're forgotten for now and evermore"

So it basically tells the tragedy that came from the summoning of Zodiark and Hydealyn.

[ZennyG]

With the release of the official lyrics, my interpretations goes like this- The first stanza after the chorus is from the Ascians while the second is from the races of men in general.

All our splendour bathed black in silence
Our surrender a sombre reverie
Slowly drifting down into twilight
Left to sifting through faded memories

Know our places, for worth is wordless
Evanescent, this writing on the wall
Brother stay this descent to madness
Come and save us. Catch us before we fall
...
Rock of ages, we cast the first stone
In our cages, we know not what we do
Indecision here at the crossroads
Recognition, tomorrow's come too soon

Follow blindly like lambs to slaughter
At the mercy of those who ply the sword
As our song wends dead underwater
We're forgotten for now and evermore

The first part is dictating the fall of Amaurot. The second part is them commencing their "Great Work" and failing against the WoD and their allies, both in the past and in the current time, all the while stating their biggest fear; that their people and their entire civilization disappears from history. Erased from all memory like they were never there.

The second part is a bit easier to interpret.

Like broken angels, wingless, cast from heavens' gates
(Our slumb'ring demons awake)
We only fly when falling, falling far from grace
(Hell take us, heaven can wait)
Our lives a message in a bottle cast to sea
(Disgrace untold and unseen)
Quick to their ends, our candles burn until we're free
...
Without a compass wand'ring lost in lies of faith
(Faith slowly wasting away)
Only alive in fighting Death's amber embrace
(Our hearts beat loud, unafraid)
On Hands and knees we pray to gods we've never seen
(Come shadow, come follow me)
The final hour upon us, no more time to breathe

This is written from the perspective of the races of men. The first stanza describes their lives after being sundered. Their capacity to commit selfish acts against each other and their short, ephemeral lives without meaning. The second stanza is a bit more of an optimistic point of view. Despite their faith being used as a weapon against them, they still keep hope in higher powers, and are able to live their lives fully despite their mortality. And that they'll keep holding on, no matter what, even "to the edge" of life.

The chorus is where everything ties up together- Despite our differences, inside we're still the same; capable of both good and evil. It's in the tragedies and loss that we experience in our lives do we find common ground with each other, regardless of which side we're on. Time keeps going, things change, bad things happen. But we keep going. Life keeps going. One ending creates a new beginning, a series of greetings and partings.

[tarifu]

Nice interpretations. I had mine written up but it went on incredibly long and would have to span multiple posts. I'm not sure what the proper etiquette for that is. So here's the most pertient parts I wanted to share.

In monochrome melodies
Our tears are painted in red
(Bleeding to the edge)
Deep inside we're nothing more
Than scions and sinners
In the rain
Do light and darkness fade

Sides don't matter. Everything stems from the heartache of losing their home. "Scions and sinners" connects to the title of "Scions of the Seventh Dawn". Maybe trying to compare themselves to the heroes: we're not so different, you and I... :P

Yes, time circles endlessly
The hands of fate trained ahead
(Pointing to the edge)
All things change, drawn to the flame
To rise from the ashes.
To begin
We first must see the end

You could take the chorus as a back and forth between the Ascians and mortals. The Ascian statement is the preceding stanza, mortals (or WoD specifically) respond with this stanza. In that case, they would be pointing out that yes time is cyclical and civs rise and die, but Ascians are leading the world/existence "to the edge" with their continued interference as "hands of fate. The final 4 lines would be them saying birth and death is a natural part of existence, and in order for mortals to "begin" and chart their own fate outside of Ascian influence, the Ascians and their dream of Amaurot need to die. It's done and over. We can't go back.

Without a compass wand'ring lost in lies of faith
(Faith slowly wasting away)
Only alive in fighting Death's amber embrace
(Our hearts beat loud, unafraid)

I read this as being about Azem. Azem was their compass, shepherd, connection to the rest of the world. Without Azem, all they had to guide them was faith/tempering. Faith in seeing Amaurot again and reconnecting with their loved ones was what kept the Ascians going throughout all this time. But even still, their belief that their civilization would all come back was slowly eroding. They only felt truly alive when fighting and defying Death- of themselves, and of their dream of Amaurot- fighting for the sake of fighting. And remember Elidibus calls the WoD "Death"? Azem's memory crystal is amber-colored.

So, they're so far gone they can't even see that their "compass" is back (and has probably come back many times) and is still trying to lead them where they need to go.

[Mysteltain]

Well, looks like we got some work ahead of us with the expansion trailer!

EDIT: Not much, and it's hard to hear, but this is what I have so far:

... out of time
... realign
Spoke too soon, we're biding time
Marching forward in a line

Plunder the shadow's cache
Guiding footfalls in driven ash
For many days
... culls the angel's wing

When it ends...
When it ends...

(lots of fighting)
(still fighting)
...a prayer
And shadows

When it falls...
When it falls...

When it ends...

[MrThinker]

Well, looks like we got some work ahead of us with the expansion trailer!

I cant even hear the words. Maybe its like he initial 5.0 trailers that didnt have many legibile words until the final song was ready for the final trailer.

But if anyone can make guesses, please feel free.

[Enkidoh]

I cant even hear the words. Maybe its like he initial 5.0 trailers that didnt have many legibile words until the final song was ready for the final trailer.

But if anyone can make guesses, please feel free.

I couldn't even hear any lyrics, all I heard was twangy guitars.

Think I'll rewatch the trailer and take closer note (I was too busy with the visuals first time).

[MrThinker]

I couldn't even hear any lyrics, all I heard was twangy guitars.

Think I'll rewatch the trailer and take closer note (I was too busy with the visuals first time).

Okay, listening again, when it is passing over the hooded WoL, I hear "marching forward" so there definitely some lyrics

[Enkidoh]

Oh yes you are definetely right, but I only managed to pick up scattered words (I only really could make out "journey", "burning" and "the ennnnnd!"), but other than that, it got rather drowned out.

But yeah there are definetely lyrics.

[QuellingStrikes]

I'm not sure how to make one of those Textboxes so sorry for the unshrinkable text, will edit when I find it out
anyways here is everything that I heard just by ear, so definitely nothing where I'd say "this is it" but often comparing notes and then listening again makes me hear definitve differences.

"I don't (evil?) I don't try
Counting fifteen, Reignite
Three/Free the something(it really sounds like something here), buying time
Marching forward in moonlight
In the shadows crutch
Guiding foremost and grant their wish
For any day
Forward calls the angel's wing
In the end
In the end
I remember a better time
*Alisaie being loud*
(something soomething) were
Saddened Silence that you don't hear