On a wagon bound for market
There's a calf with a mournful eye
High above him there's a swallow
Winging swiftly through the sky
How the winds are laughing
They laugh with all their might
Laugh and laugh the whole day through
And half the summer's night
Dona dona dona dona
Dona dona dona down
Dona dona dona dona
Dona dona dona down
Stop complaining, said the farmer
Who told you a calf to be
Why don't you have wings to fly away
Like the swallow so proud and free
How the winds are laughing
They laugh with all their might
Laugh and laugh the whole day through
And half the summer's night
Dona dona dona dona
Dona dona dona down
Dona dona dona dona
Dona dona dona down
Calves are easily bound and slaughtered
Never knowing the reason why
But whoever treasures freedom
Like the swallow must learn to fly
How the winds are laughing
They laugh with all their might
Laugh and laugh the whole day through
And half the summer's night
Dona dona dona dona
Dona dona dona down
Dona dona dona dona
Dona dona dona down
Dona dona dona dona
Dona dona dona down
Dona dona dona dona
Dona dona dona down