"Time to Say Goodbye"[1] is the opening theme to RWBY Volume 2. It was released as a single by Jeff Williams on iTunes on May 21st, 2014.
It is the opening track of the RWBY: Volume 2 Soundtrack. Also included on the album is an electronic dance remix of the song by James Landino, entitled the "Beach Bae Remix". An acoustic arrangement of the song, featuring orchestra and piano, is featured on the RWBY: Volume 3 Soundtrack album.
Composition[]
The song opens with Casey Lee Williams' vocals accompanied by strings and piano, shortly joined by drums and a standard rock ensemble as the song enters the chorus. After the first chorus, a guitar solo, doubled by strings, is played and leads into the next set of verses. The track continues to build in intensity, with a guitar playing lead lines under Casey's vocals.
After the second chorus, the song abruptly enters a slower, much more subdued section, with the vocals accompanied by distant-sounding drums and strings. This section is followed by an uptempo guitar solo that leads into one last, energetic chorus before the song ends.
The song contains some unusual compositional elements: The verses are in the key of G minor, the choruses are in the key of E minor and the quiet bridge section (as well as the first solo section) are in the key of G major (the parallel major to the verse and the relative major to the chorus).
The key changes between these sections are especially interesting in that they accentuate a certain emotional impact in relation to the lyrics; the line of the bridge "Pointed at the enemy / So someone else can claim a victory" transitions from the key of G major of previous lines to G minor, which, in conjunction with a gradual decrease in tempo, creates an especially unsettling mood to the line.
Lyrics[]
There's a point where it tips
There's a point where it breaks
There's a point where it bends
And a point we just can't take
Anymore
There's a line that we'll cross
And there's no return
There's a time and a place
No bridges left to burn
Anymore
We can't just wait with lives at stake
Until they think we're ready
Our enemies are gathering
The storm is growing deadly
Now it's time to say goodbye
To the things we loved
And the innocence of youth
How the time seemed to fly
From our carefree lives
And the solitude and peace we always knew
There's a day when we'll fight
And we're not gonna fall
There's a day when we'll stand
And a day when we won't crawl
Anymore
There's a moment in time
And there's no going back
When we're pushed too hard
And we won't hold our attack
Anymore
We can't just cling to childish things
As evil just grows closer
Humanity's in jeopardy
This fight is far from over
Now it's time to say goodbye
To the things we loved
And the innocence of youth
With a doubt in our minds
Why we chose this life
And at times we can't help wondering...
Were we born to fight and die?
Sacrificed for one huge lie?
Are we heroes keeping peace?
Or are we weapons?
Pointed at the enemy
So someone else can claim a victory?
Now it's time to say goodbye
To the things we loved
And the innocence of youth
How the time seemed to fly
From our carefree lives
And the solitude and peace we always knew.[2]
Trivia[]
- The cover artwork on the single release is also used for the Volume 2 Poster, drawn by Kristina Nguyen. The poster is also available in the Rooster Teeth store.[3]
- The lyrics "We can't just wait with lives at stake until they think we're ready" refers to what Blake said to her teammates in "Welcome to Beacon".