The first and second numbered games in the Xenoblade series both conclude with a vocal credits song that are among the best tracks in their respective games. Below are both songs, as well as the lyrics. I'm going to be talking about my interpretation of both, so be warned there are spoilers for either games.
Beyond the Sky
One Last You
Lyrics:
Regarding the lyrics, here are my interpretations. Both of these songs seem to be the female lead of each game reflecting on the end of the journey and their circumstances they've ended up in, and their romantic feelings towards the protagonists. In Fiora's case, this is how she has at last found peace and comfort with Shulk, and is comforted by his light and knowing he was coming for her when she was lost in the darkness. For Pyra and Mythra, the song is more bittersweet, as she has apparently been killed in the finale and is reflecting on her last days with Rex, only to beg for God himself to allow her just one more day to be alive and be with Rex. Where "Beyond the Sky" plays during a final scene that shows the characters in their well deserved happy endings, "One Last You" sets up the final twist of the game, the miraculous resurrection of Pyra/Mythra.
This is reflected in the composition of both songs. If I had to describe the overall feeling of "Beyond the Sky" it would be calm and peaceful, a reflection on journey's end. "One Last You", by contrast is similarly reflective at first, but becomes more dramatic towards the end, riffing Pyra/Mythra's main musical theme from the game before she begs God to let her return to Rex, if only for while. There's something really powerful about this to me, because a large theme in both games have been how the apparent gods of the worlds are actually false, flawed beings, with the Architect in XB2 even hoping for forgiveness and redemption from a higher power. This is not who Pyra/Mythra is pleading with at the end of the game, she's pleading to the God we ourselves know, a direct invocation of the Theism that is otherwise only alluded to.
I personally like both songs quite a bit, though I find "One Last You" a little more compelling. What do you think, Era?
Beyond the Sky
Tell me why, the reason I am here
Just only you I see from far away
I've come for you
Don't know why, I searched all night and day
But when I'm here, darkness came
No lights to show the way
Dark despair, still I seek for you
All I long to see was your smile
I know I won't look behind, I see no regrets
No guiding lights so dark, are you my light?
But now I am here, and you're close to me.
My heart is with you, forever and ever...
See this place, the end of world she fears
No shining lights anywhere
This emptiness in tears
Didn't know,
It was you all along
You were chasing after my shadows
I know I won't look behind, I see no regrets
No guiding lights so dark, are you my light?
But now I am here, and you're close to me.
My heart is with you, forever and ever...
No I won't let you go, I will hold it in my arms
Oh! This light was you!
I know it now, beyond the sky,
There's new place you'll see
I came to you to share our dream together
I won't let us part, there's no place to be
My heart is with you, forever and ever...
Just only you I see from far away
I've come for you
Don't know why, I searched all night and day
But when I'm here, darkness came
No lights to show the way
Dark despair, still I seek for you
All I long to see was your smile
I know I won't look behind, I see no regrets
No guiding lights so dark, are you my light?
But now I am here, and you're close to me.
My heart is with you, forever and ever...
See this place, the end of world she fears
No shining lights anywhere
This emptiness in tears
Didn't know,
It was you all along
You were chasing after my shadows
I know I won't look behind, I see no regrets
No guiding lights so dark, are you my light?
But now I am here, and you're close to me.
My heart is with you, forever and ever...
No I won't let you go, I will hold it in my arms
Oh! This light was you!
I know it now, beyond the sky,
There's new place you'll see
I came to you to share our dream together
I won't let us part, there's no place to be
My heart is with you, forever and ever...
One Last You
Lyrics:
Very end of eternity
The final day has come to an end, it's gone for good
I would then slowly close my eyes
And be cuddled by the shining memory piece
I will trace back all the memories with you
That's the only wish I have
The last day with you was truly magical
The frozen time began to flow
At last the longest night has gone and brought in light
I felt myself melt in the morning light
The final grain of sand has dropped
I will slowly so quietly fall into sleep
I see you gently fade away
Your silhouette has gone to the other side of the mist
And all the memories with no sound so quiet
Just like in slow motion it moves so slowly
And so the last day with you was truly magical
The frozen time began to flow
At last the longest night has gone and brought in light
I felt myself melt in the morning light
You have gifted many things to me
(But I) wonder if I could've done the same for you
If you would let me, I will give back a handful
If it would put a little smile on your face
Can I ask you, God? Despite all of this...
Could the sandglass somehow take back the time?
One last time is all I ask from you
Can you please spare me some time with the one man I loved?
I wouldn't care how and where it should be
But I need one last time I want to tell you, how I feel inside for you
I want you to know...
The final day has come to an end, it's gone for good
I would then slowly close my eyes
And be cuddled by the shining memory piece
I will trace back all the memories with you
That's the only wish I have
The last day with you was truly magical
The frozen time began to flow
At last the longest night has gone and brought in light
I felt myself melt in the morning light
The final grain of sand has dropped
I will slowly so quietly fall into sleep
I see you gently fade away
Your silhouette has gone to the other side of the mist
And all the memories with no sound so quiet
Just like in slow motion it moves so slowly
And so the last day with you was truly magical
The frozen time began to flow
At last the longest night has gone and brought in light
I felt myself melt in the morning light
You have gifted many things to me
(But I) wonder if I could've done the same for you
If you would let me, I will give back a handful
If it would put a little smile on your face
Can I ask you, God? Despite all of this...
Could the sandglass somehow take back the time?
One last time is all I ask from you
Can you please spare me some time with the one man I loved?
I wouldn't care how and where it should be
But I need one last time I want to tell you, how I feel inside for you
I want you to know...
Regarding the lyrics, here are my interpretations. Both of these songs seem to be the female lead of each game reflecting on the end of the journey and their circumstances they've ended up in, and their romantic feelings towards the protagonists. In Fiora's case, this is how she has at last found peace and comfort with Shulk, and is comforted by his light and knowing he was coming for her when she was lost in the darkness. For Pyra and Mythra, the song is more bittersweet, as she has apparently been killed in the finale and is reflecting on her last days with Rex, only to beg for God himself to allow her just one more day to be alive and be with Rex. Where "Beyond the Sky" plays during a final scene that shows the characters in their well deserved happy endings, "One Last You" sets up the final twist of the game, the miraculous resurrection of Pyra/Mythra.
This is reflected in the composition of both songs. If I had to describe the overall feeling of "Beyond the Sky" it would be calm and peaceful, a reflection on journey's end. "One Last You", by contrast is similarly reflective at first, but becomes more dramatic towards the end, riffing Pyra/Mythra's main musical theme from the game before she begs God to let her return to Rex, if only for while. There's something really powerful about this to me, because a large theme in both games have been how the apparent gods of the worlds are actually false, flawed beings, with the Architect in XB2 even hoping for forgiveness and redemption from a higher power. This is not who Pyra/Mythra is pleading with at the end of the game, she's pleading to the God we ourselves know, a direct invocation of the Theism that is otherwise only alluded to.
I personally like both songs quite a bit, though I find "One Last You" a little more compelling. What do you think, Era?
