Roman script
Khaaki banda
Karda phire khudaayi
Lau la baitha dunya naal
Rabb ton kare judaai
A mere human made of clay
Goes around acting as if he’s as invincible as God
He’s lost himself completely to this ephemeral world
And does not ponder his relationship with his Lord
Na kar bandya meri meri
Na teri na meri
Chaar dinnaan da e mela
Dunya fer matti di dheri
O human, leave off this battle for worldly possessions
Nothing here can ever truly belong to us
The glittering spectacle of this world lasts but a few days
And then everything turns to dust
Padh padh kitaabaan ‘ilm diyaan
Naan rakkh liya ee qaazi
Makke Madeene ghum aaya te
Naan rakh liya ee haaji
You’ve filled your head with mere bookish knowledge
And smugly titled yourself a grand authority
You’ve done a round of Mecca and Medina
And smugly titled yourself a holy pilgrim
Satrangi re na-daani teri
Nautanki re man-maani teri
You are fooled by the bright spectacle of this world
Your proud willfulness is driven by nothing but conceit
Deen dharam di gallan baataan
kar kar ke wi samajh na aayi
Firqe wande ‘ilm na wanbya
Wich weeraan boyi ladaai
Your never-ending religious debates failed to create a deeper understanding
You spread people into conflicting camps, but failed to spread real knowledge
All you did was sow seeds of dissension among friends and brothers
Na kar bandiya heri pheri
Na teri na meri
Chaar dina da e mela
Dunya fer matti di dheri
O human, don’t get caught up in worldly matters
Nothing here can ever truly belong to us
The glittering spectacle of this world lasts but a few days
And then everything turns to dust
Khoti neeyat khote sikke
Na dewan saccha haani
Badlega tu badle ga sab
De nafs apne di tu qurbaani
False intentions, deceit, and duplicity
Can never win you sincere companions
All will change if you only change yourself
Slay your own base desires
Sat-rangi re na-daani teri
Man-rangi re na-daani teri
Satrangi re na-daani teri
Nautanki re man-maani teri
Ae zaat magar faani teri
Aa dil de raste te chal
You are fooled by the bright spectacle of this world
Your proud willfulness is driven by nothing but conceit
But your being is ephemeral
Come, follow the path of Love!
Chadhde sooraj dhalde
Bujhde deeve balde
Jinna da na jag te koi
Oh vi puttar palde vekhe
Loki kehnde daal ni galdi
Main te patthar galde vekhe
I’ve seen the sun that rises also set
I’ve seen flickering lamp blaze anew
The orphans who have no one left in this world
I’ve seen them also find the means to flourish
People say that success is beyond reach
But I have seen the impossible become possible
Satrangi re na-daani teri
Nautanki re man-maani teri
Satrangi re na-daani teri
Nautanki re man-maani teri
Ae zaat magar faani teri
Aa dil de raste te chal
You are fooled by the bright spectacle of this world
Your proud willfulness is driven by nothing but conceit
But your being is ephemeral
Come, follow the path of Love!
Sona chaandi heere moti kha lai tu
Ucche makaana kamre bhaven saja lai tu
Laazim nahi hai keh khushiyaan
saari ki saari kama lai tu
Raataan ‘ch kalliyaan ro ro
rabb apne nu mana lai tu
Dhokkhe-baazi vich guzaara
dekhe na sajjan bhaayi
Raaz tere raaz mere
jaane Khuda di khudaayi
You can gobble up pearls, diamonds, and all the riches of the world
You can construct grand mansions and adorn them beautifully
But true happiness is something difficult to buy
So spend your nights in solitary vigil, weeping for your Lord’s forgiveness
Those who live by dishonest means don’t hesitate to harm even their loved one
God in His infinite power is privy to all our secrets
Satrangi re na-daani teri
Nautanki re man-maani teri
Satrangi re na-daani teri
Nautanki re man-maani teri
Ae zaat magar faani teri
Aa dil de raste te chal
You are fooled by the bright spectacle of this world
Your proud willfulness is driven by nothing but conceit
But your being is ephemeral
Come, follow the path of Love!
Khaaki banda
Karda phire
A mere human made of clay
Goes around acting…
Khaaki banda
Khaaki banda
Karda phire…
A mere human made of clay
A mere human made of clay
Goes around acting…
Translated by Zahra Sabri
With special thanks to Asim Raza
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