bana re bambaiya banaras ka bhaiya bana re bambaiya
bana re bambaiya banaras ka bhaiya
badal gaya kaisa mila jab rupaiya
badal gaya kaisa mila jab rupaiya
bana re bambaiya banaras ka bhaiya
bana re bambaiya banaras ka bhaiya
badal gaya kaisa mila jab rupaiya
badal gaya kaisa mila jab rupaiya

maine piya hai ganga ka pani
maine piya hai ganga ka pani
sidha samajh na tu mujhko rani
sidha samajh na tu mujhko rani
tujhko banaunga khute ki gaiya
tujhko banaunga khute ki gaiya
badal gaya kaisa mila jab rupaiya
badal gaya kaisa mila jab rupaiya

look my darling ho darling haye darling
look my darling tera banarasi ban gaya english man
look my darling tera banarasi ban gaya english man
meri lugai dont be shy meri lugai dont be shy
milale mujhse nain ha milale mujhse nain
mujhko pakadne de gori kalaiya
mujhko pakadne de gori kalaiya
badal gaya kaisa mila jab rupaiya
badal gaya kaisa mila jab rupaiya

le jaunga tujhko gao apne are le jaunga tujhko ganw apne
pure karunga main sare sapne
pure karunga main sare sapne
tujhko ghumaunga jhumri talaiya
tujhko ghumaunga jhumri talaiya
badal gaya kaisa mila jab rupaiya
bana re bambaiya banaras ka bhaiya
badal gaya kaisa mila jab rupaiya
badal gaya kaisa mila jab rupaiya

Born a simple soul, a Banarasi brother, born anew,
Born a simple soul, a Banarasi brother, true.
How he changed, when silver came his way,
How he changed, in a fleeting, gilded day.
Born a simple soul, a Banarasi brother, now astray,
Born a simple soul, a Banarasi brother, what a display.
How he changed, when silver came his way,
How he changed, and let his spirit decay.

I have drunk the Ganges' sacred stream,
I have drunk, it would seem,
Do not mistake me, darling, for your queen,
Do not mistake me for a thing unseen.
I will make of you a tethered cow,
I will make of you, and take your vow.
How he changed, when silver came to stay,
How he changed, and lost his way.

Look, my darling, oh, darling, my darling, see,
Look, my darling, your Banarasi, now an Englishman, you see.
Look, my darling, your Banarasi, in a new decree.
My wife, don't be shy, you'll see,
Meet my gaze, and meet with me,
Let me hold your fair arm, for all to see.
Let me hold your fair arm, wild and free.
How he changed, when silver found its key,
How he changed, for you and me.

I will take you to my village, you'll agree,
I will take you, for you and me.
I will fulfill each wish you see,
I will fulfill your destiny.
I will show you the lake of dreams, you'll agree,
I will show you, wild and free.
How he changed, when silver's decree,
Born a simple soul, a Banarasi, for you and me.
How he changed, when silver's decree,
How he changed, for you and me.