Dona, Dona

[4] The text underlay in the score and parts is otherwise romanized in a phonetic transcription that appears oriented toward stage German.

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.

Some believe it to be a nonsense word, but it may have earlier ritual origins in Polish song or be imitative of musical instruments.

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.

[9] 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.

[12] They added a harpsichord part played by keyboardist Johannes Olsson, and bass guitar by Åke Eldsäter.

[12] A harmony part by Ola Håkansson, Claes af Geijerstam and Eldsäter was added during the chorus.

[12] 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.

[12][14] This meant that the sleeve and single had contrasting A-sides, which led to confusion with fans and radio stations.

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.