Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: opera
Song Meaning of “Die Walküre / Erster Aufzug: “Wehwalt heißt du fürwahr?”” by Richard Wagner
Wehwalt heißt du fürwahr? is an aria from Richard Wagner’s 1876 opera Die Walküre or The Valkyrie. In this aria, the character Wotan is trying to convince his son Siegmund to do the right thing in spite of Wotan’s own traitorous actions.
This aria can be interpreted as a call to take a moral stand, no matter the challenges or the opposition. Wotan is urging his son to do the right thing, even if it doesn’t bring immediate rewards or is met with scorn or hostility. This is an exhortation to remain true to one’s own values and not be swayed by the opinions of others.
The lyrics, “Wehwalt heißt du fürwahr,” or “Sorrow thou art indeed,” is a reminder of the difficulty in making the morally correct decision. It’s often a struggle between what is easy and what is right, but Wotan is encouraging his son to take the more difficult path.
The ultimate message of the song is that, although life may bring unavoidable pain and suffering, it’s worth standing up for what is right.