You get the Song of Time in the Ocarina of Time remake at Hyrule Castle’s drawbridge, once you hold all three Spiritual Stones: a cutscene plays at the gate, you dive into the moat for the Ocarina of Time, and the scene teaches you the song. On Switch 2 the notes are A, L, R, A, L, R on the Normal ocarina layout.
You cannot get it any earlier, and the story moves quickly once you have it. Below is what you need, what to finish first, how to play it, and every place it comes up afterward.
What You Need First
The scene only triggers when you carry all three stones, one from each of young Link’s dungeons.
| Spiritual Stone | Dungeon | Boss |
|---|---|---|
| Kokiri Emerald | Great Deku Tree | Gohma |
| Goron’s Ruby | Dodongo’s Cavern | King Dodongo |
| Zora’s Sapphire | Lord Jabu-Jabu’s Belly | Barinade, beaten with the Boomerang |
How to Get the Song of Time
- Finish Lord Jabu-Jabu’s Belly. You come out with the Zora’s Sapphire, the last of the three.
- Leave for Hyrule Field. Head for the drawbridge at Hyrule Castle Town’s gate.
- Watch the cutscene. It plays as you reach the gate.
- Dive into the moat. The Ocarina of Time lands in the water. Pick it up.
- Learn the song. Picking up the ocarina is what teaches it to you.
You cannot miss this one, since the story does not move forward without it.
What to Finish First
Reaching the Song of Time is a turning point. Once you go on to the Temple of Time and start the next part of the story, some of young Link’s optional errands are out of reach for a while.
That is not permanent. After the Forest Temple, you can return the Master Sword to go back to being young. But it is easier to clear these up now, before you step inside Castle Town:
- Gold Skulltulas that need the Boomerang. Lon Lon Ranch, Lake Hylia and the back of Dampé’s hut all have some. Our Gold Skulltula guide lists them.
- The mask quest. Our mask quest guide covers the Happy Mask Shop’s chain up to the Mask of Truth.
- Heart Pieces. Our Heart Piece guide marks the ones for young Link.
If you have already gone past the scene, there is no harm done: everything can wait until you can travel back.
The Notes on Switch 2
| Layout | Notes |
|---|---|
| Normal, on Switch 2 | A, L, R, A, L, R |
| The 1998 game, on an N64 pad | C-Right, A, C-Down, C-Right, A, C-Down |
Press left on the D-pad to bring out your ocarina, then play. If you forget the notes, press ZL on the ocarina screen to check your songbook. Those buttons assume the default controls: the “Swap Ocarina-Playing Controls” option in Options changes them, and our microphone guide covers playing by blowing into the mic instead.
Do not mix it up with the Sun’s Song. The Song of Time does not change the hour. If you want to skip to night, our time change guide is the one you want.
Where to Play the Song of Time
The song’s first job is to open the Door of Time, and after that it moves blue Time Blocks. Look for those blocks, or a plinth to stand on near them.
| Place | What it does |
|---|---|
| Temple of Time, Castle Market | Stand at the inscription at the far end to open the door to the Master Sword |
| Under Kakariko Graveyard | Clears the blocks at the exit from the race for the Hookshot, which leads to the windmill |
| Forest Temple | Removes the blue block at the lobby’s north-west exit |
| Fire Temple, first floor | Moves the Time Block on the high ledge in the big lava room, on the way to a Gold Skulltula |
| Fire Temple, third floor | Removes the Time Block on the way to one of the trapped Gorons |
| Ice Cavern | Makes a bridge to a Rupee chest, played from the ledge by the Blue Fire |
| Spirit Temple | Moves the block in the room with the rolling boulders |
| Zora’s River | One of five songs you play to the frogs for a Heart Piece |
What to Do Next
With the song in hand, walk into the Temple of Time, which branches off Hyrule Castle Market. Stand in front of the inscription at the far end and play it. Go through into the next room and take the Master Sword. Our 1998 Master Sword guide has the scene in more detail, and our 1998 song list has every song in the game.
You wake up as adult Link, and the Hookshot is your first stop. Every remake guide is on our Zelda hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you get the Song of Time in the Ocarina of Time remake? After you have all three Spiritual Stones. Go to the Hyrule Castle drawbridge to trigger the scene.
What are the notes for the Song of Time on Switch 2? A, L, R, A, L, R on the Normal ocarina layout. The 1998 game used C-Right, A, C-Down, repeated.
Can you miss the Song of Time? No. The story cannot go on without it, since it opens the door to the Master Sword.
Where do you play the Song of Time first? In the Temple of Time, in front of the inscription at the far end of the room.
Does the Song of Time change the time of day? No. It opens the Door of Time and moves blue Time Blocks. The Sun’s Song is the one that changes the hour.
What do you do if you forget the notes? Press ZL on the ocarina screen to check your songbook.