Close in the Distance

"Close in the Distance" is a vocal theme song in Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, composed and arranged by Masayoshi Soken. The lyrics were written by Tom Mills and the vocals were performed by Jason C. Miller. The lyric concept was conceived by Natsuko Ishikawa.
It was first revealed on November 6, 2021 as part of the Endwalker launch trailer.
The Korean version was performed by as the vocalist.
==Lyrics==
The official lyrics were released in the Endwalker: Final Fantasy XIV Original Soundtrack along with the Japanese translation by Natsuko Ishikawa. The concert of THE PRIMALS of September 21, 2024 confirms that the lyrics are sung by Ardbert to the Warrior of Light.https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-14-endwalker-close-in-the-distance-lore-ardbert/
===English===
;English
:Whispers falling silently, drift 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, toward eternal sea
:And yet our hope remains
:Guiding, lighting the way
:No time for mourning...
:(Morning) rises on a land reborn from the ashes
:'Neath the heavens
:To sunset, blood-red skies tranquil after the storm
:Blessed shadow
: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
:Every word on our hearts engraved
:In the dark, you will not stray
:Forge ahead till the end we pray
;Japanese translation
:この声は風に紛れ、音もなく消えていく
:――だが、お前の声は聞こえてるんだ
:俺たちの旅はもう、過去のものになった
:――だが、今でもお前を見守ってる
:あのとき交わした約束は、消えちゃいない
:――お前がまだ、ここにいるんだから
:言葉なき鎮魂歌を、 涙の河へ捧げに行こう
:押し流され、曲がりくねって、 久遠の海を目指す
:苦しくとも希望が尽きたりはしない
:道を照らし、お前を導く
:悲しんでる暇はないだろう？
:灰より新生せし大地に朝が訪れ
:蒼天が広がる
:夕暮れには嵐が過ぎ、静かなる紅蓮の空
:漆黒の宵が訪れる
:世界は回り、時は進んで、夜は朝を連れてくる
:何度だって陽は昇るだろう
:振り返らずに行け
:俺たちはお前の中に生きている、そう――
:冷たい哀しみと、焦がすような歓び、温かな信頼の物語の中に
:すべての言葉がこの心に刻まれてるんだ
:暗闇の中でも、お前は決して迷わない
:前へ進め、俺たちは皆、終わりまで祈り続ける――
===Korean===
;Korean
:너의 목소리 아직 내 귓가에
:남아있어
:우리의 여행은 이제 끝났지만
:네가 보여
:그 약속 지킬 수 있어 네가 곁에
:살아있어
:눈물의 강을 위한 침묵의 노래
:더 이상의 절망은 이젠 없어
:영원의 바다로
:길을 밝혀 나아가
:슬픔 거둬
:아침의 태양 파란 하늘 펼치며
:떠오르네
:붉은빛 노을 지나 칠흑의 밤이
:다가오네
:해가 지고 뜨는 반복된 시간
:우린 네 안에 살아
:후회 없이 나아가
:내일 향해
:환희와 슬픔 속 믿음의
:이 노래 마음에 새겨
:어둠 속 헤매지 않아
:기도와 함께 나아가
;Romaja
:Neoui moksori ajik nae gwitgae
:Namaisseo
:Uriui yeohaengeun ije kkeunnatjiman
:Nega boyeo
:Geu yaksok jikil su isseo nega gyeote
:Saraisseo
:Nunmurui gangeul wihan chimmugui norae
:Deo isangui jeolmangeun ijen eopseo
:Yeongwonui badaro
:Gireul balkyeo naaga
:Seulpeum geodwo
:Achimui taeyang paran haneul pyeolchimyeo
:Tteooreune
:Bulgeunbit noeul jina chilheugui bami
:Dagaone
:Haega jigo tteuneun banbokdoen sigan
:Urin ne ane sara
:Huhoe eopsi naaga
:Naeil hyanghae
:Hwanhuiwa seulpeum sok mideumui
:I norae maeume saegyeo
:Eodum sok hemaeji ana
:Gidowa hamkke naaga
==Game appearances==
===Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker===
Three versions of the song play as the field themes in Ultima Thule as the story is progressed. "Echoes in the Distance", the initial version, is a heavily distorted and muffled version of the song. The next version to play, "Close in the Distance (Instrumental)", is an instrumental version without the distortion and muffling, while the full lyrical plays last. Each change in the song accompanies a sacrifice by the Scions of the Seventh Dawn as they make their way towards Meteion's nest.
Three of the versions appear as tracks 45, 46 and 47 on the Endwalker: Final Fantasy XIV Original Soundtrack.
An arrangement by Daiki Ishikawa, "Of Countless Stars", serves as the dungeon theme. It is track 49 on the soundtrack.
==Arrangement album appearances==
===The Primals: Beyond the Shadow===
An arrangement of "Close in the Distance" by GUNN appears in The Primals' fourth album, with the vocals performed by Jason Charles Miller.
===Sanctuary's Heart: Final Fantasy XIV Chill Arrangement Album===
An arrangement of "Close in the Distance" by DJ Mitsu the Beats appears as track 12 on the album. It was released again on the physical Deluxe Edition.
===Final Fantasy XIV Orchestral Arrangement Album Vol.3===
An orchestral arrangement of "Close in the Distance" was released with Sachiko Miyano as the arranger and recording director. It was conducted by Hirofumi Kurita and performed by Jason Charles Miller, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and Keiko as the pianist.
===Forge Ahead: FINAL FANTASY XIV ~Arrangement Album~===
A band arrangement of "Close in the Distance" was performed by Jason Charles Miller and The Primals.
==Live performances==
===The Primals: Live in Japan - Beyond the Shadow===
The arrangement of "Close in the Distance" by GUNN was performed live by The Primals and recorded as track 15 on the album.
===Eorzean Symphony: Final Fantasy XIV Orchestral Album Vol.3===
"Close in the Distance", orchestrated by Sachiko Miyano, was performed and recorded during the Final Fantasy XIV Orchestra Concert 2022 -Eorzean Symphony-, conducted by Hirofumi Kurita and performed by guest vocalist Jason Charles Miller and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
It is also on the Eorzean Symphony: Final Fantasy XIV Orchestral Album Vol.3 (Concert version).
==Compilation album appearances==
===Endwalker Vinyl LP===
"Close in the Distance" is track 4 of side B on the album.
==Citations==
==External links==
* Final Fantasy XIV - Endwalker Theme Song 'Close in the Distance' Special M/V - YouTube (Korean version)
Category:Field themes from Final Fantasy XIV