The Road Never Ends

The road now leads onward

And I know not where

I feel in my heart

That you will be there

Whenever a storm comes

Whatever our fears

The journey goes on

As your love ever nears

Here is my heart and I give it to you

Take me with you across this land

These are my dreams, so simple, so few

Dreams we hold in the palm of our hands

-- "Never-Ending Road (Amhrán Duit)", Loreena McKennitt

To close up the year as has been the norm since I've started this blog, I present a song that represents and relates to what I've blogged and experienced over the past year, and especially regarding different Pokémon things. Its artist is someone whom I've yet to bring up here until this point yet delivers songs with emotional power, and I've recognized the artist for almost as long as I've recognized Pokémon. With that, it's fitting that I eventually bring up a song by the artist, and this one is indeed highly appropriate for the current time.

Structurally, the song is made up of three verses adjoining the same chorus, of which the last of both becomes the ones I've quoted above. The artist I've mentioned is known for her characteristic vocals, and this song is a showcase of that, with only a subdued instrumental backing. What matters the most about this song, however, is the poignant feeling that the musical arrangement lends to the sung lyrics, which could be applied to different situations - including, of course, the occasion to close up this year of Pokémon blogging.

With that, given the happenings I brought up in my "thematic recap" post for this year, there is a sense that despite the things that did (or didn't) happen, there is a continuity to be had after them. That then paves the way for this song as something that supports any and all sentiments after those happenings. The song itself lends further support through its first and second verses - not quoted here - that even in situations of complexity and wintriness, the continuity remains for roads to be taken and whoever and whatever will be met.

Perhaps most poignant is the last line of the chorus as quoted above, which fans will recognize as the mission statement of Goh, the main supporting character during Ash's last regular appearance in the anime series. Even well after this fact, some fans - like me - will still feel for them while feeling for the new characters of the anime. So, as the song's chorus suggests, dreams and hearts are to given to the old and new, and they'll take fans on the journey wherever they may be in spirit, even if not necessarily in sight.

Now that the year is about to close, only remnant moments and feelings are left in the final moments, particularly for Pokémon happenings that have taken place. But in looking forward to the next year, which will come relatively soon, the road of Pokémon happenings appears to present itself, and it's one that fans can and will have to take. In that sense, the road never ends, just like the title of this post and the song, and something will be there to make sure something goes on - wonderfully as far as Pokémon is concerned.

One year ago: Tales Told, One by One

Two years ago: Someday, Soon...

Three years ago: ...Is There Still Time?

Four years ago: Return to Believe

Five years ago: (Extra-)Ordinary Days

Six years ago: One Day, in Life

Seven years ago: When I See You Again