Apni Dhun Mein Rehta Hoon
Main Bhi Tere Jaisa Hoon

Roaming within my own tunes I am
O’ just like you I am

Oh Pichhlee Rut Ke Saathi
Abke Baras Main Tanha Hoon

O’ friend of the past season
This year completely alone I am

Teri Gali Mein Sara Din
Dukh Ke Kankar Chunta Hoon

Whole day, in your street
Collecting the pebbles of sorrows I am

Mera Diya Jalaye Kuan
Main Tera Khali Kamra Hoon

Who will set my lamp alight?
O’ your vacated room I am

Apni Leher Hai Apna Rog
Dariya Hoon Aur Pyasaa Hoon

My own wave is the malady
Ocean I am and yet so thirsty I am

Aati Rut Mujhe Royegi
Jaati Rut Ka Jhonka Hoon*

Coming season will weep for me
O’ breeze of the ending season I am

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Poet Nasir Kazmi, Sung by Ghulam Ali

Junoon Ka Hukm Suno Aur Amal Karo Us Per
Khirad Ko Aag Lagao Bahar Ke Din Hein*

Listen to the command of madness and act
Set rationality on fire – spring has returned!

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Jab Raat Dhali Aadhi Maikhane Ko Hosh Aaya
Angrai Li Botal Ne Paimane Ko Hosh Aaya

When the night cast halfway, tavern came to its senses
The bottle took a yawn and the cup came to its senses

Utha Jo Naqaab Unka Deewane Ko Hosh Aaya
Jab Shamma Howi Roshan Parwane Ko Hosh Aaya

They appeared from their veil, crazy came to their senses
Then the flame became evident and the moth came to its senses

Phir Dard Utha Dil Mein Phir Yaad Teri Aayi
Phir Teri Mohabbat Ke Afsanay Ko Hosh Aaya

Then the pain grew within, your memories unfolded
And then your affectionate tale came to my senses

In Mast Nigahon Ne Girtay Ko Sambhala Hai
Sagar Ke Saharay Se Mastanay Ko Hosh Aaya

Intoxicating glances have balanced the tumbling
With the support of a cup, the drunk came to their senses

Woh Daikho Fana Daikho Jaam Aa Gaye Gardish Mein
Woh Mast Nazar Uthi Maikhane Ko Hosh Aaya*

Look there O’ Fana, see the cups are quickly rotating
Emergence of intoxicating glance; tavern has now come to its senses

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Poet Anwar Farrukhabadi, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Main Talkhi-e-Hayat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya
Gham Ki Siyah Raat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya

With the worry from bitterness of life, I drank
With the grief of my darkest night, I drank

Itni Daqiq Shai Koi Kaise Samajh Sake
Yazdan Ke Vaqiat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya

Such delicate substance, how can one comprehend?
With the fear of merciful moment, I drank

Chhalke Hue The Jaam Pareshan Thi Zulf-e-Yaar
Kuchh Aise Hadsat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya

Overflowing cups and beloved’s anxious tresses
With the concern for such calamities, I drank

Main Aadmi Huun Koi Farishta Nahi Huzur
Main Aaj Apni Zaat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya

Human I am and no angel O’ respected
Today, with the vigilance of my own being, I drank

Duniya-e-Hadsat Hai Ik Dardnak Giit
Duniya-e-Hadsat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya

World of incidents is an agonising song
With the discomfort of this world of incidents, I drank  

Kante To Khair Kante Hain Is Ka Gila Hi Kya
Phulon Ki Vardat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya

Thorns are yet thorns and there is no complaint
With the scare from crimes of flowers, I drank

Saghar Vo Kah Rahe The Ki Pi Lijiye Huzur
Un Ki Guzarishat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya*

Saghar they said drink O’ respected
And with the care for their wishes, I drank

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Poet Saghar Siddiqui, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Bheed Mein Ek Ajnabi Ka, Saamna Acha Laga
Sabse Chup Kar Woh Kisi Ka, Dekhna Acha Laga

Within a crowd, facing of one stranger I liked
Hidden away from all others, her staring I liked

Surmayi Aanchal Ke Neeche Phool Se Khilne Lage
Kehte Kehte Kuch Kisi Ka Sochna Acha Laga

Grey colour below the eyes, flowers begun to bloom
Talking and losing of her thoughts I so liked

Baat To Khuch Bhi Nahi Laikan Uska Ekdam
Haath Ko Honton Pe Rakh Kar Rokna Acha Laga

It was all nothing but suddenly
Placing of her hands over my lips and asking me to stop I liked

Uss Adoo-e-Jaan Ko Amjad Mein Bura Kaise Kahoon
Jab Bhi Aaya Saamne, Woh Bewafa Acha Laga*

O’ Amjad how can one say anything negative to that enemy of life
Whenever she came before me, that treacherous I liked

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Poet Amjad Islam Amjad, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Tazaad-e-Jazbaat Mein Ye Naazuk
Maqaam Aaya To Kya Karo Gay

In contradiction of these emotions if that
Delicate moment unfolded - then what would you do?

Main Ro Raha *** Tum Hans Rahe **
Main Muskaraya To Kya Karo Gay

I am weeping and yet you are jolly
But if I smiled - then what would you do?

Mujhe To Is Darja Vaqt-e-Rukhsat
Sukun Ki Talqeen Kar Rahe **

To me at this time of farewell
Instructions of tranquillity you are offering

Magar Kuch Apne Liye Bhi Socha
Main Yaad Aaya To Kya Karo Gay

But have you any thoughts for yourself?
If you recalled me - then what would you do?

Abhi To Tanqid ** Rahi Hai
Mere Mazaq-e-Junun Pe Lekin

For now there is criticism
On my state of madness but

Tumhari Zulfon Ki Barhami Ka
Sawaal Aaya To Kya Karo Gay

If scattering of your tresses is
Questioned - then what would you do?

Tumhare Jalvon Ki Roshni Mein
Nazar Ki Hairania Musallam

Within the splendour of your light
Is complete amazement of sight

Magar Kisi Ne Nazar Ke Badle
Jo Dil Aazmaya To Kya Karo Gay

Nevertheless if someone in return
Tested your heart - then what would you do?

Utar To Sakte ** Paar Lekin
Ma Aal Par Bhi Nigah Dalo

You can disembark across but
Take a glance at the result too

Khuda Na Karda Sukun-e-Sahil
Na Raas Aaya To Kya Karo Gay

God has not made a peaceful shore
If nothing suitable appears - then what would you do?

Kuch Apne Dil Par Bhi Zakham Khao
Mere Lahoo Ki Bahar Kab Tak

Take some wounds on your heart also
Season of my blood until when?

Mujhe Sahara Banane Vaalo
Main Larkharaya To Kya Karo Gay

Those in need of my support
If I show hostility - then what would you do?

Abhi To Daman Chura Rahe **
Bigar Ke Qabil Se Ja Rahe **

For now you are leaving my hand
And you are parting away from Qabil

Magar Kabhi Jo Dharkano Mein
Sharik Paya To Kya Karo Gay*

Yet sooner or later within your heartbeats
If I became a associated - then what would you do?

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Poet Qabil Ajmeri, Sung by Sabri Brothers

O'
H e a r t
L e t  s t o r m s  o f
T h y  l o v e  c a u s e
E n d l e s s  
C h a o s

✒ ℐamil Hussain