I Closed My Eyes

February 28, 2021

I Closed My Eyes is the musical adjunct for Secret of Mana’s game over screen.  In the American version, we’re informed against a blank screen that, “Sadly, no trace of them was ever found”, or, “Sadly, no trace of Randi was ever found” if no companions have been acquired.  Ted Woolsey’s English paraphrase is more effective than a more literal translation, which can be realized as follows:

“Afterwards, there was no one who saw Randi’s form (ever again).”

The Japanese word for “form” here can be used as a euphemism for a dead body, and the line can also be translated as:

“Afterwards, Randi’s remains were never found.”

Comparing the original line to Woolsey’s, we see that the Japanese is more direct, abruptly ending the narrative after the fatal battle leaves off.  But I strongly prefer Woolsey’s as it introduces some deeper motifs.  There was an expedition, or ongoing expedition, that went through the vast wilderness, through all the expansive nature and its pagan elements, and yet, tragically, no one ever found out what we know.  That tragedy is emphasized by the “Sadly…” transition.  Nowhere in the contemporary canon do we find such an effectively melancholy motif.  

The music appropriately reflects this sentiment.  The sound of a warm, atmospheric music box plays a tune that evokes nostalgia and memories of our quest, and the ♭VI-♭VII-I chord progression is yet hopeful.  Despite being the shortest offering on the soundtrack, it is uniquely profound.  Naturally, the next thing we hear are the whale sounds, reminding us that we must return to attempt to conquer the wilderness again.  Even further, it’s followed by the musical alarm clock simply known as, “Menu Screen.”

This is the same music for the inn.  Both sleep and death are a similar rest; the tune becomes an ongoing reminder of the depths of our quest.