Tribute (music)

Tribute was a song included in the Halo 3: Original Soundtrack. It plays during the ending cutscene of Halo 3, as Lord Hood gives his speech and the 3-volley salute takes place. It is meant to have both a feeling of triumph and yet sadness over the losses suffered.

It begins with a drum and strings melody similar to the theme from the ending cutscene of the Halo 2 level Cairo Station. Strings then take over with an orchestrated version of Respite, first heard during the High Charity Suite from the Halo 2 OST. Higher strings and choir then reinforce the melody as it repeats. The melody continues to swell until the climax, before it quickly fades away, leaving only a quiet single held string note.

It runs for 2:52.

Trivia

• The song incorporates several elements from both the High Charity Suite and the Cairo Suite, including the High Charity Theme, and themes from The Last Spartan.
• The fact that it uses elements from "The Last Spartan" is a meaningful way of sending out the (presumed dead) Master Chief, as he was (as far as Earth knew) truly the last Spartan.
• The use of both Human-associated music ("The Last Spartan"), and Covenant-associated music (the "High Charity Suite"), could be commemorating the loss of life for both the Humans and the Elites during the war, and the subsequent cease fire between the two races.
• A song similar to this piece can be heard in the closing credits of Halo 2.
• Part of the song is included in a Peril remix in Halo: Out With a Whimper.