No longer a simple classic, this song now belies a deeper meaning, a haunting message;
one that has always been there but one
I never really understood . . . until now.
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
"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
Calves are easily bound and slaughtered
Never knowing the reason why
But whoever treasures freedom
Like the swallow has learned to fly
Trust and Innocence never allowed me to realize that this was not simply a catchy camp song,
but that animal suffering is long-standing.
Why did I not connect with that back then?
What has taken me so long to clue in?
And I have wondered:
are all children as disconnected from
the plight of farm animals as I was?
Apparently not!
These 3 incredible children possess great insight.
Please take a moment and see how young minds
can surprise and enlighten us,
and how important it is to listen to the words they express with sensitivity, intuition and intelligence.
Please watch their videos to see how some children are connected and understand very early on what has taken me years to realize!
AND
AND
Perhaps it is the conscience of the children
that will help us bridge that disconnect between what we eat and where it comes from.
It's never too late to learn, to listen, to change.
Innocence and Trust.
