is nagri ki rit hai ulti
koi samjh na paye
arey sache ko dukh dard mile
aur jhuta moj udaye

dhire dhire bol koi sun lega sajana
balma
dhire dhire bol re aise bol
koi sun lega re koi sun lega
jo sun paye koi baka sipahiya
tohe bandhega aur mohe rakh lega
sajana, balma
dhire dhire bol koi sun lega
dhire dhire bol

haaye kya batlau haal mai
tujhko is nagari ka gori
gali gali me sina jori
pal pal daka chori
hoye pal pal daka chori
haye prit ki sunder basti me hu
mai rakhwala tera
dager dagar na dol akeli
tham le bayia mori
o gauri tham le bayia mauri

o kaahe ko jiya tera bekhal hai re
jiya bekhal hai
aaj raho me badi halcahl hai
re badi halchal hai
jo sun paye koi
chor uchakka saiya tori
anguthi mori nath lega
sajana, balma
jara dhire dhire bol
haule haule bol koi sun lega

arey dhanvano ki is duniya ke
rang hai sare jhuthe
rang hai sare jhuthe
arey koi kisi ko dukh pahuchaye
koi kisi ko lute
koi kisi ko lute
ha kaisi sachi baat kahi hai
ek kavi ne bhaiya
rishvat le ke fas jaye
vo risvat de ke chhute
o rama risvat de ke chhute

o oo
baato me tohe maja aata hai
maja aata hai
mera to jiya ghabrata hai
ghabrata hai
jo sun paye koi
munsi daroga tohse paanch
rupaiya mose das lega
sajana, balma
dhire dhire bol koi sun lega
dhire dhire bol

This city's ways, a twisted game,
No one can grasp its aim.
The honest bear the pain and ache,
While liars thrive, their pleasures take.

Speak softly now, lest someone hears, my love,
My heart.
Speak softly, softly, lest some ear,
Should hear our words, our secret keep.
And if some soldier, bold and keen,
Should hear our whispers, unseen,
He’ll bind you fast, and hold me chained,
My love, my heart.
Speak softly now, lest someone hears,
Speak softly now.

Oh, how can I describe the plight,
Of this, this city's cruelest night, fair maiden?
In every street, a brazen fight,
Each moment theft, a shadowed plight.
A constant theft, in darkest plight.
In this fair haven, of our love,
I am your guardian, your protector, my love.
Do not stray alone upon the road,
Take my hand, and hold it fast, my love,
Oh fair one, take my hand and hold it fast.

Why does your heart feel so burdened, oh?
So burdened?
Today the roads are filled with storm,
Oh, what a storm.
And if some rogue, some thief, my love,
Should hear your words, your secret keep,
Your ring he’d steal, your nose-ring too,
My love, my heart.
Speak softly now, speak softly now,
Lest someone hears.

In this world of wealth, the colors fade,
All painted lies, a masquerade.
Where one inflicts the deepest wound,
And others steal, their spoils abound.
And others steal, their spoils abound.
A poet spoke the truest word,
A truth I've always heard:
With bribes, you're trapped, in endless plight,
With bribes, you're free, in darkest night,
Oh Rama, with bribes you're free in night.

Oh, oh, oh…
In words, the pleasure takes its hold,
Its hold.
My heart within, begins to fold,
Begins to fold.
And if some clerk, some officer, my love,
Should hear your words, our secret keep,
He’ll take from you, five rupees, my love,
From me, ten he will reap.
My love, my heart.
Speak softly now, lest someone hears,
Speak softly now.