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 has learnt 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