This piece, from Verdi's Il Trovatore is usually known as the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves.
Here it is performed in a modified version by Italian rock icon Zucchero and opera icon Pavarotti. They are accompanied by Cambodian and Tibetan Children's Choirs.
The recording was made at a concert given to raise funds for children affected by war.
These are the original lyrics - both singers here have modified the words substantially. It's still a damn fine melody.
“Va pensiero” in Original Italian
Va', pensiero, sull'ali dorate; Va, ti posa sui clivi, sui colli, ove olezzano tepide e molli l'aure dolci del suolo natal! Del Giordano le rive saluta, di Sionne le torri atterrate… Oh mia Patria sì bella e perduta! O membranza sì cara e fatal! Arpa d'or dei fatidici vati, perché muta dal salice pendi? Le memorie nel petto raccendi, ci favella del tempo che fu! O simile di Solima ai fati, traggi un suono di crudo lamento; o t'ispiri il Signore un concento che ne infonda al patire virtù!
“Va pensiero” English Translation
Hasten thoughts on golden wings. Hasten and rest on the densely wooded hills, where warm and fragrant and soft are the gentle breezes of our native land! The banks of the Jordan we greet and the towers of Zion. O, my homeland, so beautiful and lost! O memories, so dear and yet so deadly! Golden harp of our prophets, why do you hang silently on the willow? Rekindle the memories of our hearts, and speak of the times gone by! Or, like the fateful Solomon, draw a lament of raw sound; or permit the Lord to inspire us to endure our suffering!