On a Pale Horse

Not to be confused with Behold a Pale Horse.

On a Pale Horse
Album:	Halo: Original Soundtrack
Composer(s):	Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
Length:	1:35
Previous:	Drumrun
Next:	Perchance to Dream

On a Pale Horse is the nineteenth track in Halo: Original Soundtrack.

Overview

The soundtrack begins with driving staccato notes from the high strings joined by pizzicato from the low strings in what can be guessed is an alternating time signature between 6/4 and 4/4 time. At various times, sections of the high strings voice themes and variations on the Halo Theme Gregorian chant, eventually developing a unique melody. At about a minute into the soundtrack, the strings start a sort of "call - answer" theme again divided by low and high strings, then reverts to the staccato theme this time voiced in the lower register while the higher register plays slow chords while they crescendo to the end of the soundtrack.

Appearances

It can be heard:

• In the level Assault on the Control Room at the first bridge, after Cortana replied to the Sergeant of Fireteam Zulu.
• In the level Two Betrayals, when John-117 returns to the twin bridges in Canyon B to find Type-26 Banshees combating the Flood.

Arrangements

The track was arranged into the following:

• Behold a Pale Horse in the Halo 3: Original Soundtrack.
• Pale Rider in the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary: Original Soundtrack.

Production notes

• The name "On a Pale Horse" is likely a reference to one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the Book of Revelation; specifically, it refers to the fourth horseman, who'll ride in on a pale horse, and represents death.
• The violins bear a reminiscence to Hurry from Oni, an earlier Bungie game which Martin O'Donnell also worked on.