Answers (Final Fantasy XIV)

"Answers" is the main theme of Final Fantasy XIV, composed by Nobuo Uematsu, with lyrics by Yaeko Sato and Michael-Christopher Koji Fox, and performed by American musician, Susan Calloway. In an interview promoting Final Fantasy XIV before its release, Uematsu says Calloway was his first and only choice to sing the song after her performance on Distant Worlds. Uematsu also said it was his favorite piece on the soundtrack.

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
"Answers" returns to the relaunched version of Final Fantasy XIV. It is featured in the opening FMV of the game.

Lyrics
Since the song's first appearance, a number of fan transcriptions of the lyrics have appeared, most incorrect in some aspect, especially the complex layered choral parts. The official lyrics were finally [http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/58479-Answers-Answered! posted on the Square Enix forums] to coincide with the release of the "End of an Era" trailer in November 2012.


 * 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

Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy Returning Home
An orchestral arrangement of "Answers" conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra is present on the third Distant Worlds album, also sung by Susan Calloway.

"Dalamud Answers"
A distorted version of "Answers" replaced all outdoor field and battle music after the Final Save maintenance on October 31st, 2012. It features all of Susan Calloway's singing filtered at varying degrees throughout the song, but the choir and orchestra were replaced by an ominous, aetherial rumble. This track has been referred to by fans as "Dalamud Answers", and is the longest variation of the song placed in the game. This version of the song is also notable for not having been included in any official soundtrack release to date; the only way to listen to the song at present is to either get a music file extracted from the final Legacy client or a recording made during the Legacy closing event.

During The Rising event, an altered version of "Dalamud Answers" is played at the Aftcastle in Limsa Lominsa. It is notable for not having the rumbling that came with Dalamud's decent, and the pauses between each line are shorter.

Binding Coil of Bahamut themes
In A Realm Reborn, the Binding Coil of Bahamut dungeon features musical themes based on Answers; the "main theme" of the dungeon shifts between a quiet, atmospheric version or a more dramatic version with heavier instrumentation based on whether the party is in combat with monsters, and the dungeon's "boss" theme also uses strains from the song in certain sections, though it is less obviously based on Answers.

Trivia

 * The NPC named Jainelette ("Jainelette the Honeysong", as she calls herself) plays the first few measures of the main melody on her harp. She is found on The Astalicia, the Marauder's Guild at map reference (4, 7) in Limsa Lominsa.
 * A slightly shortened version of the song was used in the "End of an Era" trailer.

Answers