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 wilfulness 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 khoṭe 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
You are fooled by the bright spectacle of this world
You are fooled by the bright spectacle of this world
Your proud wilfulness 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

You are fooled by the bright spectacle of this world
Your proud wilfulness is driven by nothing but conceit
You are fooled by the bright spectacle of this world
Your proud wilfulness is driven by nothing but conceit
But your being is ephemeral
Come, follow the path of Love!

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 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

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

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 wilfulness is driven by nothing but conceit
You are fooled by the bright spectacle of this world
Your proud wilfulness is driven by nothing but conceit
But your being is ephemeral
Come, follow the path of Love!

Khaaki banda
Khaaki banda
Khaaki banda
Khaaki banda
Khaaki banda
Khaaki banda
Khaaki banda
Khaaki banda
Karda phire

A mere human made of clay
A mere human made of clay
A mere human made of clay
A mere human made of clay
A mere human made of clay
A mere human made of clay
A mere human made of clay
A mere human made of clay
Goes around acting...

Khaaki banda
Khaaki banda
Karda phire
Khaaki banda
Khaaki banda
Karda phire
Khaaki banda
Khaaki banda
Karda phire
Khaaki banda
Khaki
Khaki

A mere human made of clay
A mere human made of clay
Goes around acting...
A mere human made of clay
A mere human made of clay
Goes around acting...
A mere human made of clay
A mere human made of clay
Goes around acting...
A mere human made of clay
Of clay
Of clay

Translation by
Zahra sabri

With special thanks to
Asim raza