Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: opera
Song Meaning of “Die Walküre / Erster Aufzug: “Kühlende Labung gab mir der Quell”” by Richard Wagner
This song, from Richard Wagner’s classic opera Die Walküre, tells the story of a warrior, Siegmund, who comes upon a mysterious woman, Sieglinde, who has been told to take shelter near a stream. The song speaks of the relief and refreshment he finds as he drinks from the cool waters of the stream, both literally and metaphorically.
As he drinks, his every sense is filled with the sensation of the cool, crisp water, as if his entire being is being relieved and invigorated by the source. His senses are heightened, a sensation of refreshment that he has not experienced before. Beyond the physical relief that he feels, the sense of refreshment that he experiences could also represent his mental and spiritual relief. The stream of cold water gives him a feeling of hope, of rejuvenation, of energy.
This song speaks to the idea that a seemingly small thing can bring a great sense of relief. Wagner’s use of imagery brings to life the idea of how simple things in life, such as a drink from a cool stream, can be a source of joy and healing.