Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: opera
Song Meaning of “Nabucco, Act III: Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves “Va pensiero, sull’ali dorate”” by Giuseppe Verdi
The song “Va Pensiero”, from Giuseppe Verdi’s famous opera Nabucco, is often referred to as the “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves”, as it is sung by the Hebrew slaves after being freed from their Babylonian captors. The melancholic melody of the chorus expresses a longing for the Hebrew people’s homeland, as they reminisce of its beauty and peace. The lyrics, “Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate”, meaning “Fly, thought, on wings of gold”, conveys the idea of the people’s minds being freed from the physical shackles of bondage – but not their hearts. In their hearts, a longing for their lost homeland will forever remain. The song paints a picture of the people’s longing to be reunited with their roots – of being able to one day return home, to a place of fond memories. The song therefore can be seen to reflect the plight of all refugees, of all those longing for a place to call home and of those who have been forced to leave their homelands.