Bruckner composed Das hohe Lied on a text of Heinrich von der Mattig on 31 December 1876 as homage to the Wiener Akademisches Gesangverein (Academic singing association of Vienna).

In the valley, the rustling mill disturbs the walker's song, Until he escapes through forest darkness up to the mountains.

The 84-bar long work in A-flat major is scored for TTBB double choir, and 2 tenor and a baritone soloists.

Similarly to Abendzauber, the first part (44 bars) is sung by the soloists with an accompaniment of humming voices, figuring the rustling mill.

Because of the performance difficulties (humming voices) encountered during the rehearsals, Bruckner added in 1879 an accompaniment of strings (2 violas, 2 cellos and double bass) to enhance the humming voices, and of brass instruments (4 horns, 3 trombones and a tuba) to accompany the double choir.