What are the lyrics to the song Dona Dona?

Answer 1

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 don

Dona dona dona dona

Dona dona dona don

"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 don

Dona dona dona dona

Dona dona dona don

Calves are easily bound and slaughtered

Never knowing the reason why.

But whoever treasures freedom,

Like the swallow must learn to fly*

Answer 2

This song was originally written for Yiddish theater in the 1930's by a composer name Shalom Secunda. It became famous as the song was separated from it's show. The name Dona, is a play on the work for God. Wikipedia as most of the information correct and is a good resource for the history of this song.