In most Disney movies, the hero has a moment where everything seems lost and they nearly give up hope. This is usually followed by a rousing musical theme where they realize that they can still come back from this moment of grief. They discover that they can use their greatest gifts and talents to overcome their challenges. Rozen’s song “Sheik’s Devotion” from the album Ballads of Hyrule perfectly encapsulates this moment for Princess Zelda in Ocarina of Time.
Overall, Sheik’s theme is a pretty calm and relaxing piece. The simple melody becomes almost like a mantra in the way it repeats. It’s that simple phrase the princess would repeat to herself during the years she spends in hiding under Ganondorf’s rule. It’s her “This too shall pass” that she repeats over and over during that darkest hour. This melody is carried by the strings and gentle wind instruments, but it introduces other instruments twice in this song.
During the first half of the song, the duo of light winds and strings is joined by a heavenly, feminine voice that accompanies them in reciting the mantra of the melody. The three instruments come together and remind us of the strength of Princess Zelda. She is the ruler of Hyrule and one of the Seven Sages. Even when all hope seems lost, she sings this simple tune to remind her that it’s not. Her will and her love for her people will not be broken. She never gives up during the seven years that Ganondorf rules over Hyrule; instead, she makes a plan.
During the second half of the song, there is an intense, building climax as a deep, resounding piano key arrives along with some horns and drums. This makes me think of that moment in Disney movies when the hero or heroine has toiled over what to do and finally reached their conclusion. They are resolved and devoted to their course of action. In my mind, this is the moment when Princess Zelda decides to hide in the persona of the more masculine Sheik. She tells Impa of her plan, trains alongside her Sheikah friend and mentor, and designs a look to allow her to convince Gannondorf that the Princess of Hyrule is missing or dead all while she works to overthrow him. This is the training montage music. It’s Zelda’s steady, resolved “Eye of the Tiger.”
After this brief, burly buildup, the familiar melody returns. Sheik has been born, and they are ready to take their revenge upon the man that destroyed their kingdom. I really wish that we could get a spin-off game showing the story of Zelda turning into Sheik. The duality of that character as both masculine and feminine is very interesting to me. Beyond that, the design of Sheik is simply too amazing to leave as only a character in Super Smash Bros. or as optional costumes in Breath of the Wild. If Nintendo ever does make a Sheik game, it should definitely make sure to contact Rozen to include this rendition of Sheik’s theme during that pivotal moment where hopelessness becomes devotion and conviction.
