At the time, I was part of the FINAL FANTASY XII development team, but I frequently corresponded with FINAL FANTASY XI team member Yoshitsugu Saito to create the ideal ending. Creating the ending became an irreplaceable memorable for me. We spent countless hours poring over videotapes of the cutscene, well into the night. I remember being very surprised when I heard that "Distant Worlds" would be performed by an opera singer. The song and vocals were wonderful, and I can only say that I was in awe in how they were able to portray the world in its entirety.Yaeko Sato, Planner[1]
"Distant Worlds" is the ending theme song of the expansion pack of Final Fantasy XI, Chains of Promathia, available in game via a July 2005 patch. It is composed by Nobuo Uematsu and arranged by Naoshi Mizuta, with lyrics written by Yaeko Sato and translated into English by Michael-Christopher Koji Fox. The vocals are performed by Izumi Masuda.
"Distant World" is a rearrangement of the second half of "Memoro de la Ŝtono" (from "FFXI Opening Theme") that has no vocals.
Unlike most tracks from the game, the original "Distant Worlds" was not released in Final Fantasy XI: Chains of Promathia Original Soundtrack or in any original soundtrack album. It was first released in Masuda's digital single Distant Worlds and her album Romeo & Juliet. It was only released later in the compilation albums Final Fantasy XI Original Soundtrack Premium Box and Final Fantasy XI 8th Anniversary: Memories of Dusk and Dawn, the former of which was a limited edition.
"Distant Worlds" was arranged, performed, and included in The Black Mages' third studio album, The Black Mages III: Darkness and Starlight, atypically arranged as a slow-paced instrumental rock ballad. It has been performed live numerous times and included in the concert albums Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy (as a medley along with "Memoro de la Ŝtono" where it was performed by Susan Calloway) and VOICES: Music from Final Fantasy.
Lyrics
The official English lyrics and the original Japanese poem were released in Izumi Masuda's album Romeo & Juliet.
- English
- Seas invite in the evening sun
- to light the somber abyss.
- Clouds dance up with the heavens' stars,
- chanting an air of joyous bliss.
- Water fades back from blue to jade,
- guiding young rainbows high.
- Flowers bloom into reds and whites,
- quenching our hearts as they run dry.
- Angels chained by a beast locked in slumber.
- Sin washed away by the swift flow of time.
- I may know the answers.
- Journeys over snow and sand.
- What twist in fate has brought us
- to tread upon this land?
- Blessed by light and the burden of shadows.
- Souls abide to an endless desire.
- I may know the answers,
- though one question I still hear.
- What twist in fate has brought us
- to roads that run so near?
- Distant worlds together.
- Miracles from realms beyond.
- The lifelight burns inside me
- to sing to you this song.
- To sing with you this song.
- To sing to you your song.
- Original Japanese poem
- ＜日本語原詩＞
- 夕日が海に落ちるのは 海の世界を照らすため
- 雲が空を泳ぐのは 星の言葉を伝えるため
水面 が色を変えるのは 虹と契りを結ぶため- 花が優しく咲き誇るのは あなたの心を飾るため
- 天使であり 獣である私たちは
- 知を求め 血を求め
- 時がすべてを流すのは 犯した罪を許すため
- 私は知っている すべてを
- あなたとの旅が教えてくれた
- 何のために 私とあなたは生まれたのか？
- 光を追い 影をひきずる私たちは
齢 を超えて 弱さを超えて- 人の想いに果てがないのは 既に扉が開かれているため
- 私は知っている すべてを
- それでもあなたに問いたい
- どうして 私とあなたが出会ったか？
- 私の世界とあなたの世界がつながる奇跡
- 私が生を受けたのは あなたに歌を歌うため
- あなたと歌を歌うため
- あなたの歌を歌うため
Game appearances
Final Fantasy XI: Chains of Promathia
"Distant Worlds" plays as the ending theme of Chains of Promathia. It is track 14 on disc 6 in Final Fantasy XI Original Soundtrack Premium Box, which is the disc of "Final Fantasy XI Unreleased Tracks".
"Distant Worlds -Guitar Version-" is version arranged by Mizuta. It is track 17 on disc 6 in the same soundtrack.
A piano arrangement of "Distant Worlds" by Kaoru Ishikawa and played by Ayumi Iga is included on disc 7 in the same soundtrack, which is the disc of "Piano Collections Final Fantasy XI".
"Distant Worlds (instrumental version)" is a version arranged by Takuro Iga. It is track 22 in the Final Fantasy XI Priceless Remembrance album. It is also included in the Final Fantasy XI Gifts from Vana'diel: Songs of Rebirth album.
Arrangement album appearances
Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy
"Distant Worlds" is orchestrated into the medley "Memoro de la Stono~Distant Worlds" and is the namesake of the album and the Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy world-tour. It is conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by Susan Calloway and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra at the Stockholm Concert Hall in Sweden, recorded as track 6 in the CD album that coincided with the start of the Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy world-tour on December 4, 2007 in Sweden, in celebration of Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary.
The Black Mages III: Darkness and Starlight
The album features an arrangement of "Distant Worlds" by Kenichiro Fukui that is performed by The Black Mages.
Sanctuary ~ Final Fantasy XI - Music from the Other Side of Vana'diel
The album features "Distant Worlds", arranged by Masato Koda and performed by The Star Onions.
Final Fantasy XI: Stolen Hearts
The album features an arrangement of "Distant Worlds" by Takuro Iga and performed by The Nanaa Mihgo's.
Distant Worlds VII: more music from Final Fantasy
"FINAL FANTASY XI: Distant Worlds" appears as track 9 in the album, conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by the soloist Emi Evans, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, and the choir Allmänna Sången.
Live performances
VOICES: Music from Final Fantasy
A medley of "Opening Theme from Memoro de la Ŝtono ~ Distant Worlds" was performed live during the concert, arranged by Sachiko Miyano, Shirō Hamaguchi, and Naoshi Mizuta and performed by Izumi Masuda.
It was also recorded and released in the DVD album.
The Black Mages III Darkness and Starlight Live
"Distant Worlds" was performed live by The Black Mages and recorded on August 9, 2008 at the Yokohama Blitz.
Final Fantasy XI Vanacon Anniversary 11.11.11
"Distant Worlds" was orchestrated by Sachiko Miyano for the orchestral concert and was performed by Izumi Masuda and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
VanaFest 2012
"Distant Worlds" was performed live by Nobuo Uematsu's band Earthbound Papas on June 24, 2012.
Compilation album appearances
Final Fantasy XI 8th Anniversary: Memories of Dusk and Dawn
"Distant Worlds" appears as track 16 in the compilation album which celebrates the 8th anniversary of Final Fantasy XI.
Other media
An NPC in the Weaver's guild in Final Fantasy XIV sings the line "Distant worlds together. Miracles from realms beyond", in a speech bubble while she spins thread.