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Zidane and Garnet 2
"Melodies Of Life" (Japanese Version), the main theme of Final Fantasy IX.

It's okay. Keep singing. 'Cause it's our song, right?

Zidane Tribal

"Melodies Of Life" is the main theme and vocal theme song of Final Fantasy IX. The song was composed by Nobuo Uematsu, arranged by Shirō Hamaguchi, and sung in both Japanese and English by Emiko Shiratori. The lyrics were written by Ciomi and translated into English by Kako Someya and Alexander O. Smith. "Melodies Of Life" is Nobuo Uematsu's favorite track on the Final Fantasy IX soundtrack.[1]

In-game, the theme is associated with the summoners' village of Madain Sari, and is the motif for Zidane Tribal and Garnet Til Alexandros XVII's romantic relationship. The theme could be seen as the theme of Gaia in juxtaposition to Terra's theme of "A Place to Call Home".

Lyrics[]

The official lyrics for both Japanese and English versions were released on Melodies Of Life -Final Fantasy IX- and Final Fantasy IX: Original Soundtrack.

Japanese version[]

Japanese
宛てもなく彷徨っていた
手がかりもなく探しつづけた
あなたがくれた想い出を
心を癒す詩にして
約束もすることもなく
交わす言葉も決めたりもせず
抱きしめそして確かめた
日々は二度と帰らぬ
記憶の中の手を振るあなたは
わたしの名を呼ぶことが出来るの
あふれるその涙を
輝く勇気にかえて
いのちはつづく
夜を越え
疑うことのない明日へとつづく
飛ぶ鳥の向こうの空へ
いくつの記憶預けただろう
儚い希望も夢も
届かぬ場所に忘れて
めぐり逢うのは偶然と言えるの
別れる時が必ず来るのに
消えゆく運命でも
君が生きている限り
いのちはつづく
永遠に
その力の限りどこまでも
わたしが死のうとも
君が生きている限り
いのちはつづく
永遠に
その力の限りどこまでもつづく
Rōmaji
Ate mo naku samayotteita
Tegakari mo naku sagashi tsuzuketa
Anata ga kureta omoide o
Kokoro o iyasu uta ni shite
Yakusoku mo suru koto mo naku
Kawasu kotoba mo kimetari mo sezu
Dakishime soshite tashikameta
Hibi wa nido to kaeranu
Kioku no naka no te o furu anata wa
Watashi no na o yobu koto ga dekiru no
Afureru sono namida o
Kagayaku yūki ni kaete
Inochi wa tsuzuku
Yoru o koe
Utagau koto no nai ashita e to tsuzuku
Tobu tori no mukō no sora e
Ikutsu no kioku azuketa darō
Hakanai kibō mo yume mo
Todokanu basho ni wasurete
Meguriau no wa gūzen to ieru no
Wakareru toki ga kanarazu kuru no ni
Kieyuku unmei demo
Kimi ga ikiteiru kagiri
Inochi wa tsuzuku
Eien ni
Sono chikara no kagiri dokomademo
Watashi ga shinou tomo
Kimi ga ikiteiru kagiri
Inochi wa tsuzuku
Eien ni
Sono chikara no kagiri dokomademo tsuzuku
Unofficial English translation
I was wandering around aimlessly
I kept on searching without a clue
I will make the memories you gave me
Into a heart-soothing song
The days when we embraced and made sure,
Without ever making any promises or
Deciding on the words to exchange,
Are never to return
Waving your hand in my memory,
You can call out my name
Transform those overflowing tears
Into shining courage,
And life will carry on,
Beyond the night,
And continue to a tomorrow where there is nothing to doubt
How many memories have I entrusted
To the sky beyond the flying birds?
I have forgotten them in a place where
Fleeting hopes and dreams are out of reach
Can we say it's by chance that we meet each other?
The time will surely come when we part ways, and yet...
Even if I'm destined to fade away,
As long as you are alive,
Life will carry on,
To the best
Of its ability forever, wherever it goes
Even if I die,
As long as you are alive,
Life will carry on,
To the best
Of its ability forever, lasting to the ends of the earth

English version[]

Alone for a while I've been searching through the dark,
For traces of the love you left inside my lonely heart.
To weave by picking up the pieces that remain,
Melodies of life—love's lost refrain.
Our paths they did cross, though I cannot say just why.
We met, we laughed, we held on fast, and then we said goodbye.
And who'll hear the echoes of stories never told?
Let them ring out loud till they unfold.
In my dearest memories, I see you reaching out to me.
Though you're gone, I still believe that you can call out my name.
A voice from the past, joining yours and mine.
Adding up the layers of harmony.
And so it goes, on and on.
Melodies of life,
To the sky beyond the flying birds—forever and beyond.
So far and away, see the bird as it flies by.
Gliding through the shadows of the clouds up in the sky.
I've laid my memories and dreams upon those wings.
Leave them now and see what tomorrow brings.
In your dearest memories, do you remember loving me?
Was it fate that brought us close and now leaves me behind?
A voice from the past, joining yours and mine.
Adding up the layers of harmony.
And so it goes, on and on.
Melodies of life,
To the sky beyond the flying bird—forever and on.
If I should leave this lonely world behind,
Your voice will still remember our melody.
Now I know we'll carry on.
Melodies of life,
Come circle round and grow deep in our hearts, as long as we remember.

Game appearances[]

Final Fantasy IX[]

I didn't have a choice. I had to live. I wanted to come home to you. So... I sang your song.

Zidane

"Melodies Of Life" is one of the game's most prominent themes with several arrangements on the soundtrack. It plays during the final credit roll, and the track "Melodies Of Life ~Final Fantasy", the 22nd track of the original soundtracks's fourth disc, includes it.

"Melodies of Life (The Layers of Harmony)" is a rearranged version of the theme with additional backing vocals and less instrumentation, and is only sung in English. It is the 26th and the last track of the fourth disc on the soundtrack.

Among the variations of "Melodies Of Life" are the following themes:

  • "Memory Erased by a Storm" plays during the opening cinematic. It is the second track of the original soundtrack's first disc.
  • "Steiner Crashes into the Tower" is heard in the FMV between the events at Alexandria Castle and the subsequent play at the M.S. Prima Vista. It is the second track of the original soundtrack PLUS release.
  • "Over the Hill" plays as the overworld theme until the endgame, and is one of the most widespread variations of "Melodies Of Life". It is the 25th track of the original soundtrack's first disc.
  • "The Song of Zidane and Dagger" is a short version of "Melodies Of Life" with vocals by Emiko Shiratori. It plays during the FMV involving Zidane and Garnet at Lindblum Castle's tower. It is the original soundtrack PLUS release's ninth track.
  • "A Song From Her Memory" plays during the storyline sequences after Zidane meets Garnet at the Lindblum Castle tower. It is the fourth track of the original soundtrack's second disc.
  • "South Gate" plays during Garnet and Steiner's visit to South Gate. It is the 11th track of the original soundtrack's second disc.


  • "Garnet's Theme" plays during Garnet's flashback with Doctor Tot in Alexandria, and later on before her coronation. It is the 20th track of the original soundtrack's second disc.
  • "All Hail the New Queen" plays when Garnet returns to Alexandria to become queen. It is the game's original soundtrack PLUS release's 18th track.
  • "The Girl from Madain Sari" plays when Eiko hatches a plan to write a love letter, and is a blend of "Melodies Of Life" and "Eiko's Theme". It is the original soundtrack PLUS release's 32nd track.
  • "Light of Destiny" plays during the Battle of Alexandria preceding the summoning of Alexander. It is the 14th track of the original soundtrack's third disc.
  • "Zidane and Dagger Part Ways" plays in the ending as Zidane stays behind and Garnet leaves the Iifa Tree on the Hilda Garde III. It is the original soundtrack PLUS release's 28th track.
  • "Back to Kuja" plays when Zidane returns to the Iifa Tree during its fall to rescue Kuja. It is the original soundtrack PLUS release's 29th track.

The game's original soundtrack PLUS release has two unused variations of "Melodies Of Life". The album's 34th track, "Main Theme", is a more lively variation of "Over the Hill", originally considered for use as the game's world map theme. "Melodies of Life (Silent Mix)" is the album's 42nd track: an arrangement by Tomoharu Hani featuring few instruments, a calm feeling throughout, and a piano solo in-between chorus repeats.

Story[]

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow. (Skip section)

When the party stays at the Dali inn, Zidane hears mysterious singing, thinking it was Garnet's voice. During the party's stay at Lindblum Castle, he hears singing from the observatory post atop the castle and finds Garnet and asks her about the song. She does not remember where she learned it, having always known it. She explains she sings it when she feels sad or lonely.

Our-Song-FFIX

Zidane catches Garnet singing in Madain Sari.

When the party ventures to the Outer Continent, they meet Eiko Carol, the last survivor of the summoners' village of Madain Sari, who takes them to the village ruins. Zidane calls the song "our song" after he catches Garnet singing it in Madain Sari. They board a row boat and while floating below the village hear the song again, but this time it is not Garnet's singing. Zidane wonders who is singing it, and Garnet recalls the village's destruction by Invincible and passes out. The singer was Eiko, who also knows the tune. She reveals its origins in the summoners' village from where Garnet also hails from, unknown to her since the Alexandrian royal family adopted her when she in her childhood lost her memories during a violent sea voyage following the village's decimation.

Zidane-and-Gaarnet-FFIX

Zidaene reunites with Garnet.

After the party defeats Trance Kuja and Necron in Crystal World, they return to the base of the Iifa Tree, and Zidane remains behind to look for Kuja while the others depart. Garnet returns to Alexandria to reign but never hears back from Zidane. When Tantalus Theater Troupe returns to Alexandria to perform I Want To Be Your Canary, during the play's climax, the actor playing Marcus casts aside his cloak to reveal his identity as Zidane. Garnet rushes to the stage to reunite with him and asks how he survived. Zidane explains he wanted to come home to her and sang their song.

Spoilers end here.

Final Fantasy XV[]

"Over the Hill" appears in the music player as the first track of Memories of FFIX (Disc 1) - OST album purchased from Coernix Station - Cauthess for 100 gil.

"Over the Hill -arrange- (from FINAL FANTASY IX)" is available on the Memories of DISSIDIA FF album purchased from Old Lestallum for 500 gil.

Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008)[]

An arrangement of "Over the Hill" by Mitsuto Suzuki titled "Over the Hill -arrange- from FINAL FANTASY IX" is featured as the background theme of the Destiny Odyssey IX storyline stage boards.

"Over the Hill -arrange- from FINAL FANTASY IX" is the ninth track of Dissidia Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack second disc.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy[]

"Over the Hill -arrange- from FINAL FANTASY IX" returns as Zidane's world map theme.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy[]

For the Nintendo 3DS version, "Melodies of Life ~ Final Fantasy" is used as the ending theme for the Final Fantasy IX Series play. "Over the Hill" was selected as the representative Field Music Sequence of the Final Fantasy IX Series play.

For the iOS version, "Over the Hill" can be downloaded as part of the Final Fantasy IX Field Music Basic Bundle, as well as "Dark City Treno". "Melodies of Life ~ Final Fantasy" can be downloaded as part of the Final Fantasy IX Other Field Music Bundle, and also "Not Alone".

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy All-Star Carnival[]

"Over the Hill" returns as a playable Field Music Sequence. It is available to the player by default.

Difficulty
Beginner Basic Expert Ultimate Transcendent
N/A 2 4 6 N/A

Final Fantasy Record Keeper[]

"Melodies Of Life ~Final Fantasy" is included as part of the 6th anniversary special arrange medley, taken from the top 10 music from All Final Fantasy Big Vote.

Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon[]

"Fragment of Memory" is an arrangement of "Over the Hill" by Yuzo Takahashi and is the 16th track on the original soundtrack.

Arrangement album appearances[]

Piano Collections: Final Fantasy IX[]

This album features a piano arrangement of "Melodies Of Life" by Shirō Hamaguchi performed by Louis Leerink as its 14th track.

Guitar Solo Final Fantasy Official Best Collection[]

This album features a classical guitar arrangement of "Melodies Of Life", arranged and performed by Yuji Sekiguchi, as its 19th track.

Distant Worlds II: More Music from Final Fantasy[]

"Melodies Of Life" is featured in this studio recording—named "A Place to Call Home - Melodies of Life"—and is sung by American singer Susan Calloway. It was the fourth song of the line-up.

More SQ[]

The album features an arrangement of "Melodies Of Life", arranged by Yusuke Hirado and performed by Miyuki Hatakeyama and Yusuke Hirado Trio.

The same track also appears on the album SQ Swing.

Cafe SQ[]

"Cafe SQ: FINAL FANTASY IX "Over the Hill", arranged and performed by yuxuki waga, is a song on this arrangement album with music arranged to the theme of music that plays in cafes.

Final Fantasy IX Chips[]

An 8-bit arrangement of "Over the Hill" by ajiponn is this album's second track.

Final Fantasy Tribute ~Thanks~[]

The album features an arrangement of "Melodies Of Life" by DAISUKE ENDO, with vocals provided by Aoi Teshima.

Piano Opera Final Fantasy VII/VIII/IX[]

"Melodies Of Life" is the 12th track on this piano arrangement album, arranged and performed by Hiroyuki Nakayama.

The same track also appears on the compilation album Piano Opera Final Fantasy I-IX.

Square Enix Jazz -Final Fantasy-[]

"Melodies Of Life〜Final Fantasy Jazz Arrangement" is an arrangement by Ryu Kawamura with vocals provided by Junko Iwao.

Live performances[]

"Melodies of Life" is a popular song at orchestral Final Fantasy concerts and is often played with the theme from the same game, "A Place to Call Home".

20020220 music from Final Fantasy[]

This concert recording includes "A Place to Call Home - Melodies of Life", arranged by Shiro Hamaguchi, and performed live by Emiko Shiratori and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. It was the 13th song of the line-up.

More Friends - Music from Final Fantasy[]

This live recording of an orchestral concert includes "A Place to Call Home ~ Melodies of Life", performed by the World Festival Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arnie Roth at the Gibson Amphitheatre Universal City in Los Angeles, California, on May 16, 2005. It was the 11th song of the line-up.

VOICES: Music from Final Fantasy[]

"A Place to Call Home ~ Melodies of Life" was performed live during the concert, arranged by Shiro Hamaguchi and performed by Emiko Shiratori.

It was also recorded and released in the album.

Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy The Journey of 100[]

An orchestral arrangement of "A Place to Call Home - Melodies Of Life" was conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by Emiko Shiratori and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. It was arranged by Shiro Hamaguchi.

Compilation album appearances[]

Final Fantasy S Generation: Official Best Collection[]

This compilation includes "Melodies of Life (Original Japanese Version)" as its 16th and final track.

Potion 2: Relaxin' with Final Fantasy[]

The piano arrangement of "Melodies of Life" by Shiro Hamaguchi from the Piano Collections release of Final Fantasy IX is included on this album as its 12th track.

More Friends: Music From Final Fantasy original soundtrack[]

"Melodies of Life"'s original version was released as the 12th track of this collection of themes present in the Dear Friends -Music from Final Fantasy- concert tour.

Final Fantasy IX Vinyl[]

"Melodies of Life" is the final track on the second disc of Final Fantasy IX Vinyl, a selection of tracks from Final Fantasy IX in the format of vinyl records on two picture discs.

Non-Square Enix appearances[]

EXIT TRANCE PRESENTS FamiTrance EX[]

A rearranged version of "Melodies of Life" appears as the third track on this album.

A New Dawn Ending[]

A cover version of "Melodies of Life" appears as the Japanese bonus track of the 11th album by the Italian symphonic metal band Ancient Bards.

Other media[]

Final_Fantasy_IX_Coca_Cola_Commercial

Final Fantasy IX Coca Cola Commercial

Coca-Cola commercial

Final Fantasy IX was heavily marketed before and after its release. Starting on March 6, 2000[2], months before its July 7 release date, Final Fantasy IX characters were used in a Japanese Coca-Cola commercial produced by Squaresoft (now Square Enix), made in similar style as the game's in-game FMVs where Zidane and his friends chase a Coca-Cola bottle cap through Alexandria. The melody from "Melodies of Life" plays in the beginning of the commercial, and the music for it is included on the Final Fantasy IX: Original Soundtrack.

Sheet music[]

References[]

  1. Nix, Marc (2018, April 3). "The Final Fantasy IX Team Spills All". From IGN. Archived from the original on 9 February, 2019.
  2. Nix, Marc (2000, April 1). "TGS: Final Fantasy IX Characters Do Coke". From IGN. Archived from the original on 11 June, 2021.

External links[]

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