Va, pensiero / Chorus of
  the Hebrew Slaves--by Verdi

“Va, pensiero,” by Giuseppe Verdi, is inspired by Psalm 137 which recalls the story of Jewish exiles in Babylon after the loss of the First Temple in Jerusalem. The opera with its powerful chorus established Verdi as a major composer in 19th-century Italy.

Verdi was a popular leader in the movement to unify Italy and much of his music reflects his patriotism. This chorus has been proposed several times to be the Italian National Anthem, and the line, “O mia patria” (Oh my fatherland) resonates deeply with Italians.