Listen To This Dramatic Guitar Rearrangement of “Song of Time”
Posted on November 14 2020 by Sean Gadus
Time is one of the elements that binds Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask together. Both games confront the power of time and its immense impact on our lives. With this in mind, one of the most important songs in the two games is the “Song of Time”. In Ocarina of Time, the song is used to open the door to The Master Sword, the key pivot point in Link’s narrative arc. In contrast, the song is used throughout Majora’s Mask to control the flow of time, the central mechanic of the game. Overall, the key narrative and mechanical use of “Song of Time” give it a special power. The song lingers in the minds of fans long after Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask have ended.
This cover of “Song of Time” by JackSquare does a great job of capturing the gravitas of the powerful melody. Including digital piano, acoustic guitar, and electric guitar, the arrangement opens with the lonely notes of the electric piano, which play the song’s main melody. This opening is reminiscent of the song’s original appearance as the somber background music for The Temple of Time in Ocarina of Time. From there, an acoustic guitar enters the song, taking over the melody, and driving the song forward with a faster tempo. At 1:26, the audience is greeted with a searing electric guitar arrangement of the melody. The electric guitar propels the song to its conclusion, where another set of lonely piano notes finish off the piece.
This is a great arrangement because it honors the spirit of the original piece but has its own distinct identity. The use of electric guitar is fascinating as it changes the tone of the song. While the piano gives the song a solemn and quiet feel, the electric guitar captures the raw power and impact that time has on characters within the games. It is enjoyable to see an artist create a new take on an old classic.
What do you think of this arrangement “Song of Time” from Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask? Let us know in the comments below!
Sean Gadus is a Senior Editor at Zelda Dungeon. His first Zelda game was Ocarina of Time, and he loves all of the 3D Zelda games from 1998-2011. The final battle of Tears of the Kingdom is one of his favorite final battles in the entire series. He wants to help build a kinder, more compassionate world. You can check out his other written work at The-Artifice.com.
