Donna Donna, once introduced by Joan Baez: the song was a political statement in Israel during WWII to encourage resistance vs. Nazi racism … read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Donna.
below: me playing the melody on my guitar …
https://soundcloud.com/fingerstyle_guitar/donna-donna-protest-song/
lyrics written by Aaron Zeitlin, translation by Kevess & Schwartz, the music was composed by Sholom Secunda
title=”Auschwitz/Birkenau” – photo by stevieboyuk, click on the picture to enter his galleries on Flickr
Itzhak Katzenelson, who performed the protest song, was killed by the Nazis in Auschwitz 1944. – Lyrics, written by Aaron Zeitlin:
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.
2
“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?”
3
Calves are easily bound and slaughtered
Never knowing the reason why.
But whoever treasures freedom,
Like the swallow has learned to fly.”
+
me singing:
https://soundcloud.com/fingerstyle_guitar/donna-donna-donna
P.S.:
if interested read more about the topic at http://www.jewishmag.com/144mag/dona_dona/dona_dona.htm
Flickr Comments 
We were taught this one in school! I didn’t know the story behind this song. Thanks.
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I’m traveling this week, and the connection is too poor to pull up anything except text. i look forward to enjoying this and stand by me soon! z
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Lisa have a colorful week!
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A very interesting story. I had heard a version by Donovan, but did not know the history of the song. Makes me interested in learning about other songs from WWII.
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I know this song since a camp in 1972. I like it and actually it was one of the first songs I played on guitar. To me it was a bit melancholic but reading about the true story makes me realize there is an extra depth behind the lines. Thanks for sharing!
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I grew up singing this song. It is a powerful piece, and you play it well.
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Ah, beautiful rendition Frizz 🙂
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I didn’t know the story behind the song. Music is a great force for resistance. thank you for sharing this.
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yes, Music is a great force for resistance
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P.S.:
thank you so much, suitablefish = Susan Austin, your captain Lulu portrait made me smile!
http://tostir.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/weekly-photo-challenge-free-spirit/
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thank you for putting up this song and the story behind it. very moving.
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So pleased to have this info that Joan Baez did this anti-Nazi song!
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Not so much anti-Nazi as anti-passivity. Pro-resistance…or just pro flying the hell out of Germany.
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I like both versions. I was never a big fan of this song, but certainly it is a good one. And you play it very well.
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Real informative… I enjoy learning cool facts about things most people would just assume sounded good.. the history of songs can tell the meaning as well… thankso for the new info….
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Makes me want to start playing again. Very nice!
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