bahut pehle se, un qadmo ki aahat jaan lete hain
bahut pehle se, un qadmo ki aahat jaan lete hain
tujhe ae zindagi, ae zindagi
tujhe ae zindagi, hum dur se pehchan lete hain
bahut pehle se

tabiyat apni ghabrati hai, jab sunsan raato me
tabiyat apni ghabrati hai, jab sunsan raato me
hum aise me teri yaado ki chadar taan lete hai
hum aise me teri yaado ki chadar taan lete hai
bahut pehle se

meri nazre bhi aise qafiro ka jaan-o-imaan hai
nigaahe milte hi, jo jaan aur imaan lete hain
nigaahe milte hi, jo jaan aur imaan lete hain
bahut pehle se

firaq aksar badal kar bhesh, milta hai koi qaafir
firaq aksar badal kar bhesh, milta hai koi qaafir
kabhi hum jaan lete hai, kabhi pehchan lete hain
bahut pehle se un qadmo ki aahat jaan lete hain
tujhe ae zindagi, hum dur se pehchan lete hain
bahut pehle se

Long before, we sense the echo of those steps,
Long before, we know the footfall's approach.
Oh life, oh life,
We recognize you from afar,
Long before.

My spirit trembles, in desolate nights,
My heart finds fear in the lonely hours.
Then, in such times, we drape ourselves
In the sheltering cloak of your memories,
Long before.

My eyes, they are the faith and soul of such infidels,
Whose life and faith are stolen in a single glance,
Whose soul and faith are taken with a look,
Long before.

Firaq, often disguised, some infidel appears,
Firaq, in changing forms, a stranger arrives.
Sometimes we know, sometimes we comprehend,
Long before we sense the echo of those steps,
Oh life, we recognize you from afar,
Long before.