Song Lyrics in FFXIV: Compilation, Discussion, and Interpretation

[alibutterfly]

I had the Endwalker song on all day on repeat at work (lucky I work in a room by myself ;-p) and mostly it was so low as to be background noise, but I would catch snatches of the lyrics every now and then...

The one that kept standing out to me was: "'Fore our echoes begin to fade."

This makes sense; logically the conclusion of Endwalker will probably have us ridding the world of both Zodiark and Hydaelyn, I think anyone who's been paying attention probably has seen that coming. However... our capital-E Echo is a gift from Hydaelyn that helps us do a lot of things - like the story flashbacks we often have, and the visual markers in battle that show us where an attack is going to land before it hits, so that we can move out of it in time.

I realize this is probably unlikely given that it would spike the skill level and probably put some people off of the game, but I did have the thought, what if this is saying that our capital-E Echo will fade away once Hydaelyn is no more and we won't have those markers in fights anymore? Suddenly we have to remember each attack from name alone... :sweats: Again, I don't think it's very likely, but on the other hand, it would also kind of make sense...

[KageTokage]

They established in 5.2 that the Echo is not a gift from Hydaelyn and rather a power inherent to all of the Ancients that was rendered dormant after the Sundering, but could be potentially rekindled by a vision of the Starshower tugging at a soul's memories of the Final Days.

Hydaelyn was simply choosing to deliberately awaken it in those she sought to use as agents of her will.

[alibutterfly]

Good point, Kage - I had forgotten about that massive plot point, somehow... /facepalm. Although... doesn't Hydaelyn usually also do her voice loop "hear feel think" spiel at the same time and it's some combination of that (seeing the starshower plus hearing the Hydaelyn loop) that awakens it in sundered souls? However, I suppose even then, the point still stands that it's not GRANTED by her but merely maybe AWAKENED with her intervention. I was looking it up again just now and GamerEscape (https://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Echo) basically says it can be either/or; seeing a starshower or hearing the "hear feel think" loop, so I guess just one path of awakening will be gone if Hydaelyn is gone.

Welp, this is a good example of why I mostly lurk and don't post, at any rate: sometimes my thoughts are stupid and it's embarrassing to get called out on that by a stranger

[Rosenstrauch]

We all make mistakes or misunderstand things. It's nothing to be ashamed of, y'know?

[MrThinker]

I think Ali is more focussing on the "it's embarrassing to get called out on that by a stranger" part, though most of the time, corrections made on the lore forum are usually done in good faith rather than a concerted effort at bashing one's self-esteem. Usually.

[alibutterfly]

Thanks, guys - yes, MrThinker is right, I was focusing more on it being embarrassing to have your error recognized and commented on by a stranger, especially when it's something that's such a central story point like this. But yes, I know the comments were made in good faith and not meant to offend. I appreciate our community for that kind of thing.

Anyway, my mistaken derailment is over lol. I was so sure I was having a great thought earlier today, haha.

[Sove92]

So after hearing the full lauch trailer song, this is what I could come up with

Whispers, falling silently drift on to wind
But I hear you
Our journey, now a memory fading from sight
But I see you
Unbroken promises we made so long ago
You're still here
Unspoken requiem for a river of tears

Flowing, winding to our eternal sea
And yet our hope remains
Guiding! Lighting our way
No time for mourning

Rises, all the memory born from the ashes
With the heavens due sunset
Blood red skies tranquil after the storm
There's a channel, turning, wending, always
Not for long tame
The sun will shine again
Walk on, never look back
For you, we live

Tales of loss, and fire, and fate
Everywhere our hearts in pain
In the dark, you will not stray
Forge ahead, 'til the end we pray

[Annana]

There's a certain song that plays during a solo duty at level 87, was wondering if anyone else has tried to parse the lyrics.

Here's my take on it from hours of listening while stuck in queue.

EDIT: Post second trial there's a version that plays so much clearer lyrics.

Welcome and well met
My brave little spark
How long you've wandered
Burned bright as a star
For I have awaited you patiently
All this time
Past every fate

Now sing with me once more
Share of your life
Far greater than memory
It's loss and love
Words cannot hold
Boundless but ne'er overflows
And carries all lives out to sea

Remember the rain, near and far below
Each drop in the sea from heavens above
And how as time flowed on
Those waters became one
Streams, rivers, and lakes
Reaching for the horizon and far beyond
They carry onwards
However changed with each brief reflection
By setting sun, by storm's wake
Till welcomed home to gentle sea

Singing deeper and deeper
In pall and rains
Loving tides sweeping a new dawn

Should you meet us
---
With your unbeating heart wish them well

Deep dark far away
I heard in your voice
With your every choice
Now our hearts join 'round the meaning you sought

I'll catch your tears
Quench your thirst with joy
Till your --
Where in time
All shall as hope be reborn

Hush love, close your eyes
---
---
to dreams held aloft
Now you will hear ---
One step from tomorrow

[MrThinker]

So after hearing the full lauch trailer song, this is what I could come up with

That song is called

Close in the Distance

You got it mostly right I think but here is what I heard:

Whispers, falling silently drifts on the wind
But I hear you
Our journey, now a memory fading from sight
But I see you
Unbroken promises we made so long ago
You're still here
Unspoken requiem for a river of tears

Flowing, winding to our eternal sea
And yet our hope remains
Guiding! Lighting our way
No time for mourning

Rises on a memory born from the ashes
With the heaven's true sunset
Blood red skies tranquil after the storm
Blessed shadow -------> (This entire verse is a reference from ARR to ShB)

Turning, wending always
Night follows day
The sun will shine again
Walk on, never look back
Through you we live

Tales of loss, and fire, and faith
Everywhere, our hearts impaled
In the dark, you will not stray
Forge ahead, 'til the end we pray

[Mysteltain]

I've updated the main post with all of the EW vocal themes, as well as what lyrics I've been able to gather and compile from here and youtube. Since the MULA was updated, it's a bit harder to find the music on youtube, and harder still to find consistent comments for lyrics, but I think I've managed to draw from the best guesses there and here, and can put them on the first page with confidence.