About the song
“Donna, Donna,” performed by the legendary Joan Baez, is a poignant and stirring song that has resonated with audiences since it was popularized in the 1960s. This song, originally a Yiddish theater song written by Sholom Secunda and Aaron Zeitlin, was translated into English and became widely known in the folk music revival era. Baez’s version appears on her 1960 debut album, “Joan Baez.”
Joan Baez, with her crystalline soprano and impeccable phrasing, brought “Donna, Donna” to a broader audience, infusing it with deep emotion and a sense of universality. The song tells the story of a calf being led to slaughter, a metaphor for the loss of freedom and innocence. The lyrics speak to the plight of those who are oppressed, with the repeated refrain urging the listener to be like the swallow, free and unburdened by the constraints imposed upon them.
“Donna, Donna” did not chart as a single, but it became a beloved part of Baez’s repertoire, capturing the hearts of those who heard it. The song’s simplicity—a delicate acoustic guitar accompaniment paired with Baez’s haunting voice—amplifies its powerful message and emotional impact.
The inclusion of “Donna, Donna” on Baez’s debut album helped to establish her as a formidable voice in the folk music scene. The album itself was a commercial success, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard 200 chart and remaining on the chart for over two years. This success was a testament to Baez’s talent and the timeless appeal of the songs she chose to sing.
For many older listeners, “Donna, Donna” evokes memories of a time when folk music was a powerful vehicle for social change and personal reflection. The song’s enduring message of freedom and the human spirit’s resilience continues to resonate with new generations, making it a timeless classic. Joan Baez’s rendition of “Donna, Donna” remains a poignant reminder of the power of music to convey profound truths and touch the deepest parts of the human soul.
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Lyrics
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,
and half the summer’s night.
Donna, Donna, Donna, Donna; Donna, Donna, Donna, Don.
Donna, Donna, Donna, Donna; Donna, Donna, Donna, Don.