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?"*

Calves are easily bound and slaughtered

Never knowing the reason why.

But whoever treasures freedom,

Like the swallow must learn to fly*