{{Short description|Yiddish song}} {{distinguish|Dona Dona}} {{Infobox song | name = Dana Dana <br><small>(Yiddish original)</small> | cover = | alt = | type = | language = Yiddish | written = | published = 1941 | writer = Sholom Secunda, Aaron Zeitlin | composer = | lyricist = }} {{Infobox song | name = Dona Dona <br><small>(English version)</small> | cover = | alt = | type = | artist = | album = | EP = | language = English | written = | published = mid-1950s | released = | format = | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = Folk music | length = | label = | writer = Sholom Secunda, Aaron Zeitlin. English lyrics by Arthur Kevess and Teddi Schwartz | composer = | lyricist = | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | title = | next_title = | next_year = }} '''"Dona Dona"''', popularly known as "'''Donna, Donna'''", is a song about a calf being led to slaughter, written by Sholom Secunda and Aaron Zeitlin. Originally a Yiddish language song "'''Dana Dana'''" (in Yiddish דאַנאַ דאַנאַ), also known as "Dos Kelbl" (in Yiddish דאָס קעלבל, meaning ''The Calf''), it was a song used in a Yiddish play produced by Zeitlin.
==History== thumb|left|Printed lyrics of Dona, Dona in Yiddish, Chinese and English. "Dana Dana" was written for the Aaron Zeitlin stage production ''Esterke''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0006_0_06094.html |title=Esterke |publisher=Jewishvirtuallibrary.org |date= |accessdate=2015-07-13}}</ref> (1940–41) with music composed by Sholom Secunda. The lyrics, score, parts, and associated material are available online in the ''Yiddish Theater Digital Archives''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/handle/123456789/869 |title=Esterke |publisher=2ndave.nyu.edu |date=2005-05-13 |accessdate=2015-07-13 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701111035/http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/handle/123456789/869 |archive-date=2012-07-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The lyric sheet is in typewritten Yiddish<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/bitstream/handle/123456789/3199/2ave_3683_large.jpg?sequence=1 |format=JPG |title=Photographic version of sheet music incorporating melody and lyrics - Part I |publisher=2ndave.nyu.edu |accessdate=2015-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305195205/http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/bitstream/handle/123456789/3199/2ave_3683_large.jpg?sequence=1 |archive-date=2012-03-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and handwritten Yiddish lyrics also appear in the piano score.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/bitstream/handle/123456789/3087/2ave_3496_large.jpg?sequence=1 |format=JPG |title=Photographic version of sheet music incorporating melody and lyrics - Part II |publisher=2ndave.nyu.edu |accessdate=2015-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720015459/http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/bitstream/handle/123456789/3087/2ave_3496_large.jpg?sequence=1 |archive-date=2011-07-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The text underlay in the score and parts is otherwise romanized in a phonetic transcription that appears oriented toward stage German.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/bitstream/handle/123456789/3201/2ave_3679_large.jpg?sequence=1 |format=JPG |title=Photographic version of sheet music incorporating melody and lyrics - Part III |publisher=2ndave.nyu.edu |accessdate=2015-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305195240/http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/bitstream/handle/123456789/3201/2ave_3679_large.jpg?sequence=1 |archive-date=2012-03-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/bitstream/handle/123456789/3202/2ave_3681_large.jpg?sequence=1 |format=JPG |title=Photographic version of sheet music incorporating melody and lyrics - Part IV |publisher=2ndave.nyu.edu |accessdate=2015-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305195247/http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/bitstream/handle/123456789/3202/2ave_3681_large.jpg?sequence=1 |archive-date=2012-03-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The YIVO standardized transliteration system<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yiddishwit.com/transliteration.html |title=Yiddish Transliteration and Spelling | YIVO transliteration chart for Yiddish alphabet | Yiddish Spelling Guidelines |publisher=Yiddishwit.com |date= |accessdate=2015-07-13}}</ref> was not then in widespread use, and many Yiddish transliterations looked like German, to which the Yiddish language is closely related.
The orchestra plays the "Dana Dana" melody at several points in ''Esterke''. The original is 2/4, in G minor for a duo of a man and a woman, choral with the orchestral accompaniment. Secunda wrote "Dana-" for the orchestral score and "Dana Dana" for the vocal scores. The Yiddish text was written with Roman alphabet. He wrote for the choral score ''andantino'' (somewhat slowly) and ''sempre staccato'' (play staccato always). The melody of the introduction was also used at the end of the song. He wrote ''piu mosso'' (more rapidly) for the refrain and some passages that emphasize the winds. First, a woman (Secunda wrote "she") sings four bars, and then the man (Secunda wrote "he") sings the next four. They sing together from the refrain. Although singing the third part of "Dana Dana" (= "Dana Dana Dana Dana …"), the man sometimes sings lower than the melody using disjunct motions. The melody is refrained. Then "he" sings the melody, and "she" sometimes sings "Dana", other times sings "Ah" with a high voice or technical passage. Secunda wrote ''molto rit'' (suddenly much more slowly) for the ending of the first verse. There are some differences between the original and the melody that are well known. Secunda wrote "ha ha ha" for the choral score with the broken chords.
There are various views as to the meaning of the words 'Dana, dana' in the original Yiddish version of the song, which are repeated sixteen times in each chorus. The words 'dana, dana' are a common refrain in Polish folk song, heard often in formulas such as 'Oj, dana dana, moja dana'. Some believe it to be a nonsense word, but it may have earlier ritual origins in Polish song or be imitative of musical instruments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://polishmusic.usc.edu/research/dances/kujawiak/|title = Kujawiak}}</ref> Zeitlin, who spent most of his life in the Polish-speaking world before emigrating to the U.S. in 1939, may have taken the 'dana' refrain from this source. A comment appearing in the Hebrew newspaper ''Haaretz'' gives the meaning of ''Dana'' as the sound that was commonly made by the guide of a horse-drawn cart to encourage the horse to continue to step forward as it drags its load.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/1.1256045 |title="תגובות למוסף "הארץ‎ |work=Haaretz |date=2009-04-17 |access-date=2021-12-10}}</ref> According to the comment in ''Haaretz'', the translation of the word ''Dana'' (from Yiddish to Hebrew) was provided by Kol Israel in 1962, when the song was performed by Nechama Hendel. In the ''John Camden Hotten Slang Dictionary'', the word ''Dana'' related to a nightman's or dustman's cart in old German or Austrian slang. In Turkish, Azerbaijani and other Turkic languages, "dana" means a "weaned calf".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Türk Dil Kurumu {{!}} Sözlük|url=https://sozluk.gov.tr/?kelime=dana|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-27|website=sozluk.gov.tr|language=tr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728174914/https://sozluk.gov.tr/?kelime=dana |archive-date=2020-07-28 }}</ref>
==Lyrics== {| ! Yiddish original !! Translation by Shalom Secunda !! Translation by Kodesh & Schwartz !! Literal English translation |- | valign="top" | <div dir="rtl" lang="yi">אױפֿן פֿורל ליגט דאָס קעלבל,<br>ליגט געבונדן מיט אַ שטריק.<br>הױך אין הימל פֿליט דאָס שװעלבל,<br>פֿרייט זיך, דרייט זיך הין און צוריק.</div> | valign="top" | On a wagon bound and helpless<br> Lies a calf, who is doomed to die.<br> High above him flies a swallow<br> Soaring gaily through the sky. | valign="top" | On a wagon bound for market<br> There's a calf with a mournful eye.<br> High above him there's a swallow<br> Winging swiftly through the sky. | valign="top" | Upon the wagon lies the calf,<br> Lies bound with a rope.<br> High up in the skies there flies a swallow,<br> Rejoicing, flying to and fro. |- | <div dir="rtl" lang="yi">''כאָר:''</div> || ''Chorus:'' || ''Chorus:'' || ''Chorus:'' |- | valign="top" | <div dir="rtl" lang="yi">לאַכט דער ווינט אין קאָרן,<br> לאַכט און לאַכט און לאַכט,<br> לאַכט ער אָפּ אַ טאָג אַ גאַנצן<br> מיט אַ האַלבע נאַכט.<br>דאָנאַ, דאָנאַ, דאָנאַ… </div> | valign="top" | The wind laughs in the cornfield<br> Laughs with all his might<br> Laughs and laughs the whole day through<br> And half way through the night<br> Dona, dona, dona... | valign="top" | How the winds are laughing<br> They laugh with all their might<br> Laugh and laugh the whole day through<br> And half the summer's night.<br> Dona, dona, dona... | valign="top" | The wind laughs in the corn,<br> Laughs and laughs and laughs,<br> Laughs up a whole day<br> And half a night.<br> Dona, dona, dona … |- | valign="top" | <div dir="rtl" lang="yi">שרייַט דאָס קעלבל, זאָגט דער פּױער:<br>װער זשע הײסט דיר זײַן אַ קאַלב?<br> װאָלסט געקענט דאָך זײַן אַ פֿױגל,<br> װאָלסט געקענט דאָך זײַן אַ שװאַלב.</div> | valign="top" | Now the calf is softly crying<br> "Tell me wind, why do you laugh?"<br> Why can’t I fly like the swallow<br> Why did I have to be a calf, | valign="top" | “Stop complaining,” said the farmer,<br> “Who told you a calf to be?<br> Why don't you have wings to fly away<br> Like the swallow so proud and free?” | valign="top" | The calf shouts; the farmer says,<br> “Who told you to be a calf?<br> You could have been a bird,<br> You could have been a swallow.” |- | <div dir="rtl" lang="yi">''כאָר''</div> || ''Chorus'' || ''Chorus'' || ''Chorus'' |- | valign="top" | <div dir="rtl" lang="yi">בידנע קעלבער טוט מען בינדן<br> און מען שלעפּט זײ און מען שעכט,<br> װער ס'האָט פֿליגל, פֿליט אַרױפֿצו,<br> איז בײַ קײנעם ניט קיין קנעכט.</div> | valign="top" | Calves are born and soon are slaughtered<br> With no hope of being saved.<br> Only those with wing like swallow<br> Will not ever be enslaved. | valign="top" | Calves are easily bound and slaughtered<br> Never knowing the reason why.<br>But whoever treasures freedom,<br>Like the swallow has learned to fly. | valign="top" | People tie up wretched calves,<br>Move them around, and slaughter them;<br>Whoever has wings flies up,<br>Not enslaved by anyone. |- | <div dir="rtl" lang="yi">''כאָר''</div> || ''Chorus'' || ''Chorus'' || ''Chorus'' |}
==Versions== {{Infobox song | name = Donna, Donna | cover = Janglers Donna Donna.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Ola & the Janglers | album = Patterns | A-side = | B-side = Come and Stay With Me | released = March 1966 | format = | recorded = 1966 | studio = | venue = | genre = {{hlist|Folk|folk rock}} | length = 3:24 | label =Gazell | writer = Sholom Secunda (credited) | producer = Gunnar Bergström | prev_title =Love Was On Your Mind | prev_year =1966 | next_title =La La La | next_year =1966 }}
===English covers=== Joan Baez first popularized the English version of the song when she recorded it in 1960, retitled as "'''Donna Donna'''". This version remains popular, with over 10 millions streams on Spotify.
'''Ola & the Janglers version''' Swedish band Ola & the Janglers covered the song in 1966, having heard the version by Kodesh & Schwartz.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Olofsson|first=Hans|title=Stora Popboken - Svensk Rock & Pop 1954 - 1969|publisher=Premium Publishing|year=1995|isbn=9-197-1894-48|pages=59}}</ref> Unlike many artists that had previously covered "Donna, Donna", the Janglers were not known as folk artists and had previously only released rock songs<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Olofsson|first=Hans|title=Stora Popboken - Svensk Rock & Pop 1954 - 1969|publisher=Premium Publishing|year=1995|isbn=9-197-1894-48|pages=60}}</ref> and they slightly changed the arrangement of the song to fit the group.<ref name=":1" /> They added a harpsichord part played by keyboardist Johannes Olsson, and bass guitar by Åke Eldsäter.<ref name=":1" /> A harmony part by Ola Håkansson, Claes af Geijerstam and Eldsäter was added during the chorus.<ref name=":1" /> The group recorded the song and the B-side, "Come and Stay with Me", during a session in 1966, with their regular producer Gunnar Bergström.<ref name=":0" />
Initially intended to mark the introduction of guitarist af Geijerstam, who had recently replaced Christer Idering,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ola & the Janglers - History|url=https://www.svenskpophistoria.se/OLA%20AND%20THE%20JANGLERS/info.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-25|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224123031/http://www.svenskpophistoria.se/OLA%20AND%20THE%20JANGLERS/info.html |archive-date=2013-12-24 }}</ref> "Donna, Donna" was chosen as the A-side of the single.<ref name=":1" /> While the single sleeves with "Donna, Donna" as the A-side were being printed, Pye Records released Donovan's version of the song as a single in Sweden.<ref name=":1" /> Fearing that the two singles would compete, the record label, Gazell, decided to switch the running order, with "Come and Stay with Me" becoming the A-side on the 7-inch single.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ola & the Janglers - Donna, Donna / Come And Stay With Me|url=https://www.svenskpophistoria.se/OLA%20AND%20THE%20JANGLERS/popup7_window.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-25|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219171239/http://www.svenskpophistoria.se:80/OLA%20AND%20THE%20JANGLERS/popup7_window.html |archive-date=2018-12-19 }}</ref> This meant that the sleeve and single had contrasting A-sides, which led to confusion with fans and radio stations.<ref name=":1" />
"Come and Stay with Me" reached number 13 on Kvällstoppen and number three on ''Tio i Topp'' in April 1966.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite book|last1=Hallberg|first1=Eric|title=Eric Hallberg, Ulf Henningsson presenterar Tio i topp med de utslagna på försök: 1961 - 74|last2=Henningsson|first2=Ulf|publisher=Premium Publishing|year=1998|isbn=919727125X|location=|pages=}}</ref> "Donna, Donna" was still asked about in record stores,<ref name=":1" /> which led to it gaining a chart position on Kvällstoppen.<ref name=":5" /> It entered on April 12, 1966, at number 19 and was last seen on April 19 at the same position, the same date that "Come and Stay with Me" entered the chart.<ref name=":5" /> This led to the Janglers having three singles simultaneously; "Love Was on Your Mind", "Donna, Donna" and "Come and Stay with Me".<ref name=":5" />
Both sides of the single were among the first attempts by a Swedish rock band to release a song in a folk rock vein.<ref name=":1" /> It was included on their second studio album ''Patterns'', released in June of that year<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ola & the Janglers - Patterns|url=https://www.svenskpophistoria.se/OLA%20AND%20THE%20JANGLERS/popup50_window.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-25|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125213111/https://www.svenskpophistoria.se/OLA%20AND%20THE%20JANGLERS/popup50_window.html |archive-date=2021-11-25 }}</ref> and became a staple on most of their compilation albums, including ''Best Sounds'' (1969)<ref>{{Citation|title=Ola & The Janglers – Best Sounds (1969, Vinyl)|date=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/20317192-Ola-The-Janglers-Best-Sounds|language=en|access-date=2021-11-25}}</ref> and ''Ola & the Janglers, 1964–71!''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ola & the Janglers - Ola & The Janglers 1964-71|url=https://www.svenskpophistoria.se/OLA%20AND%20THE%20JANGLERS/popup58_window.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-25|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125213109/https://www.svenskpophistoria.se/OLA%20AND%20THE%20JANGLERS/popup58_window.html |archive-date=2021-11-25 }}</ref>
====Charts==== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Chart (1966) !Peak position |- |Sweden (Kvällstoppen)<ref name=":5">{{Cite book|last=Hallberg|first=Eric|title=Eric Hallberg presenterar Kvällstoppen i P 3: Sveriges radios topplista över veckans 20 mest sålda skivor 10. 7. 1962 - 19. 8. 1975|publisher=Drift Musik|year=1993|isbn=9163021404|location=|pages=}}</ref> | align="center" |19 |}
====Other English covers==== * Secunda translated "Dana Dana" into English language (changing the vocalization of 'dana' to 'dona'), but this version did not gain much attention. * The lyrics were translated once again in the mid-1950s, this time by Arthur Kevess and Teddi Schwartz. This version became popular after being recorded in 1960 by Joan Baez for her debut album ''Joan Baez''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fields|first=Deborah Rubin|title=Dona Dona: Song's Enduring Popularity|url=https://www.jewishindependent.ca/tag/dona-dona/|access-date=May 11, 2021|website=jewishindependent.ca/|date=4 December 2020 |publisher=Jewish Independent}}</ref> On the album, the song is retitled "Donna, Donna", doubling the "n" while retaining the long "o" pronunciation.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rogovoy|first=Seth|date=September 18, 2018|title=The Secret Jewish History Of Joan Baez|url=https://forward.com/culture/410167/the-secret-jewish-history-of-joan-baez/|access-date=May 11, 2021|website=forward.com|publisher=Forward}}</ref> A staple for Baez, "Donna, Donna" was used throughout the civil rights protest movement of the 1960s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joan Baez Songs: 10 Essential Tracks You Need to Know|url=https://www.rocksoffmag.com/top-10-joan-baez-songs/|access-date=May 11, 2021|website=rocksoffmag.com|date=28 September 2019 |publisher=Rocks Off}}</ref> * Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan recorded a popular cover of the Baez version in 1965. This track appeared on his album ''What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid''. The title was also "Donna, Donna", thus reinforcing the popular "Donna", rather than the original transliteration "Dona". * In 1965 Dana Gillespie released the song as a single on Pye Records, produced by Jimmy Page.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.45cat.com/record/7n15872|title=45cat - Dana Gillespie - Donna Donna / It's No Use Saying If - Pye - UK - 7N 15872|accessdate=6 April 2023}}</ref> * English duo Chad & Jeremy (Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde) covered Donna Donna on their January 1965 US album ''Sing for You'' on World Artists Records. It was the B-side to their single "If I Loved You", which reached number 23 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. It was also included on their 1966 US album ''More Chad & Jeremy'' on Capitol Records.
===French covers=== {{Infobox song | name = Donna Donna | cover = Donna-Donna-Claude-Francois.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Claude François | album = Donna Donna / Les choses de la maison | B-side = Du Pain et du beurre / Je sais / Les cloches sonnaient | released = 1964–1965 | format = | recorded = 1964 | studio = | venue = | genre = Folk music | length = 2:32 | label = Philips | writer = French lyrics by Vline Buggy, Claude François | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }} '''Claude François cover'''
In 1964, the song was recorded in French language by French singer Claude François as "Donna, Donna" reaching the top of the French Singles Charts for two consecutive weeks in December 1964. François co-wrote the French lyrics with Vline Buggy. The song, also known by its longer title "Donna, Donna (Le Petit Garçon)", is a revamped version. It no longer describes a helpless calf being led to slaughter, as in the original Yiddish version, but the troubles of an aspiring young boy growing up and dreaming about his own future. In the last verse, in an autobiographical twist, Claude François alludes to himself by singing the verse as "ce petit garçon que j'étais" (this small boy that I was...).
'''Other French covers'''
* In 1998, the French boyband C4 released a French dance version as "Donna, Donna" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lridYBb4X3w (YouTube video)] on Polygram and had a minor hit on the French singles charts, reaching number 25 and staying for 12 weeks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=C4&titel=Donna+Donna&cat=s|title=lescharts.com - C4 - Donna Donna|website=lescharts.com|accessdate=6 April 2023}}</ref>
===Other versions=== * The song was recorded in Yiddish by Aviva Semadar for the German radio show ''Folklore Around the World'' on WDR, on November 4, 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSi8-bGRunw |title=Donna donna (Dus kelbl) - Aviva Semadar דאָנא דאָנא (דאָס קעלבל) - אביבה סמדר |website=Youtube |access-date=2024-02-17 |date=November 4, 2002 |language=yi}}</ref> * "Dana Dana" has been translated from Yiddish into Hebrew as "Lama Dona" and interpreted by Rika Zaraï. Zaraï included a French oriental dance version in her album ''Hava''. * The song has been recorded in many other languages, including German, Swedish, Japanese, Russian, Italian, Catalan and Vietnamese. In Vietnamese, the title was "Tiếc thương" (Mourning) by the musician Tuấn Dũng (of Mây Trắng group) in the 1960s, and the lyrics were changed to expresses the mourning of a man whose lover died at a young age. In Trần Tiến's version (1990s), the lyrics were translated metaphorically from French and performed by a girl-band named Tam Ca Áo Trắng (Trio of Schoolgirls). A version in Japanese was included in episode 16 of the 1997 TV anime series Revolutionary Girl Utena.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/handle/123456789/3196?show=full Secunda's typed Yiddish lyrics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203150927/http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/handle/123456789/3196?show=full |date=2014-02-03 }} * [http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/handle/123456789/869/search?query=dona&page=1 Secunda's handwritten romanized transcription (which differs here and there from the Yiddish lyric sheet) together with the music on several of the documents] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203150922/http://2ndave.nyu.edu/manakin/handle/123456789/869/search?query=dona&page=1 |date=2014-02-03 }}
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Category:Jewish folk songs Category:Songs in Yiddish Category:Songs with music by Sholom Secunda Category:1941 songs Category:Joan Baez songs Category:1960 singles Category:Esther & Abi Ofarim songs Category:Songs about cattle Category:Songs about birds Category:Number-one singles in France