"Parting Words" is an orchestral piece from Season One. Four ascending melodies combine in various ways, initially to form the raft's theme. Afterward, it plays during rescue or reunion scenes in exactly one episode per season, earning it the moniker of the "departure theme".
Main appearance[]
Sun meets Jin on the beach right before the raft will launch and, without speaking, she gives him a notebook. Opening it, he tearfully reads the phonetically spelled English words inside with Sun's help. Broken down, he says he's sorry and they say their love each other. Sun asks why he must go on the raft. Jin replies that they are in this place because he is being punished, and that he is going on the raft to save her. With the raft about to launch, Charlie finishes collecting messages to place in the bottle. Walt says goodbye to Vincent, then Shannon; Jin says goodbye to Claire, then Charlie; Michael says goodbye to Sun. Sawyer collects Charlie's bottle and looks for Kate but sees she's already left for the black rock. The survivors push the raft into the water and cheer as it successfully launches. Vincent tries to swim to the raft, but Walt shoos him back to shore. Sawyer and Michael hoist the sail. Sun and Jin look back at each other longingly, and she waves goodbye. As the raft triumphantly floats away, the scene shifts to the sky, a reminder of the ominous pillar of smoke.
Sheet music[]
Full list of appearances[]
"Parting Words" and its variations play during the following scenes.
- The survivors lay the raft on rails but derail it before reaching the sea. ("Exodus, Part 1")
- The raft launches. ("Exodus, Part 1")
- On the raft, Jin thinks about his newfound freedom. ("Exodus, Part 2")
- The raft sails away. On the Island, Sun looks at her wedding ring. ("Exodus, Part 2")
- Jin gives Michael his watch. ("Exodus, Part 2")
- Sun talks to Claire. ("Exodus, Part 2")
- The raft makes contact with Tom's boat. ("Exodus, Part 2")
- In a Previously on Lost recap, the raft launches. ("Adrift")
- The tailies and the raft passengers come to the beach camp. ("Collision")
- Jack makes contact with Minkowski by phone. ("Through the Looking Glass, Part 2")
- Arzt wishes Michael luck on his voyage on the raft. ("Tropical Depression")
- Rose, Sun and Claire talk about getting off the island. ("The Beginning of the End")
- Sawyer greets Hurley, Jack and Kate after a three year absence. ("Namaste")
- Drive Shaft and Daniel Widmore play a rock and piano mix at the benefit concert, as Desmond tells Eloise he and the awakened survivors plan to leave. ("The End")
Variations[]
Variations on the theme in "Parting Words" appear in "The Gathering", "Naomi Phone Home," "The Hole Shabang", "Moving On" and a special rock/piano mix bonus track from the season 6 soundtrack called "Parting Words (Drive Shaft)."
Title significance[]
During the piece's first appearance, survivors say goodbye as the raft passengers part.
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