dona dona

Went to see Gie the movie with Mas Singgih, Mbak Tini, Mbak Sali, Mbak Tri, and Mas Budi last Monday. There was a song I remember by heart for I played in tune when I was in my elementary school. Back than I wasn’t familiar with any English words, but I always thought that this song is very sad. Years later, when I know this song’s actual words, it turns out that there is something motivating about the song. Mas Singgih says that there are two songs he likes, one is Dona dona, and the other one is My Way. Based on the lyrics, I comprehend why he likes them.

Dona dona

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 don

"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?"

Calves are easily bound and slaughtered
Never knowing the reason why.
But whoever treasures freedom,
Like the swallow must learn to fly

My Way

And now, the end is near and so I got to face the final curtain, girl
Friends I say clear and state her case of which I'm uncertain
I've lived a life that's full of traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Yeah, regrets, I've had a few
But then again, who feel to me uncertain.
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each other course, each careful footstep along the byway,
Yeah, and more, much more than this, I did my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you know
When I did all much more than I could do
But threw it all, when there was doubt, on everyday
And it's not enough, I faced it all
And as big as all did my way.

Oh, I've laughed and cried, had my fill my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, counted also music
To think like the old lad
And may I say not in a sky away,
Oh, no no no, You're not me, I did it my way.

What is a man, what have he got
If not himself, and he had not to may the things
He truly feels not words of one for use
With that shows, I took the blows and did it my way!