Lyrics Joan Baez – Donna Donna

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.

Chorus:
How the winds are laughing,
they laugh with all their might.
Laugh and laugh the whole day through,
and half the summer’s night.
Donna, Donna, Donna, Donna; Donna, Donna, Donna, Don.
Donna, Donna, Donna, Donna; Donna, Donna, Donna, Don.

«Stop complaining!» said the farmer,
«Who told you a calf to be?
Why don’t you have wings to fly with,
like the swallow so proud and free?»

Chorus:
How the winds are laughing,
they laugh with all their might.
Laugh and laugh the whole day through,
and half the summer’s night.
Donna, Donna, Donna, Donna; Donna, Donna, Donna, Don.
Donna, Donna, Donna, Donna; Donna, Donna, Donna, Don.

Calves are easily bound and slaughtered,
never knowing the reason why.
But whoever treasures freedom,
like the swallow has learned to fly.

Chorus:
How the winds are laughing,
they laugh with all their might.
Laugh and laugh the whole day through,