ek dafa ek jangal tha
ek dafa ek jangal tha, us jangal me ek gidad tha
bada lofar bada lichad aawara
jangal paar ek basti thi us basti me vah jaata tha rozana
ek dafa ek jangal tha, us jangal me ek gidad tha
bada lofar bada lichad aawara

ek dafa us basti ke kutto ne usko dekh liya
is mod se usko daudaaya, us mod pe ja ke gher liya
jab kuchh na sujha gidad ko divaar se upar kuda
us paar kisi ka aangan tha, aangan me nil ki haandi thi
vah nili thi, us nil me yun gira gidad
sab ho gaya kichad hi kichad kichad

jitne the jangal me vah sab gidad ka paani bharne lage
sab samajhe koyi avtaar hai vo, sab uski seva karne lage
saavan ke mahine me ik din kuchh gidad mil ke gaane lage
nile gidad ko josh aaya, biradari par itrane laga
aur jhum ke jab aalaap kiya
pehchaane gaye aur pakde gaye
har ek ne khub pitaayi ki aur sabne khub dhulaayi ki
de danaadan le danaadan, de danaadan le danaadan

Once, there was a forest,
a realm of green, a hidden breast.
Within, a jackal, spirit unrest,
a wanderer, seeking a different test.

A village lay, beyond the wood,
where he'd stray, misunderstood.
Once, there was a forest, understood,
where he'd stray, misunderstood.

One day, the village dogs did see,
and chased him from that destiny.
Cornered, he leaped, a desperate plea,
over a wall, for liberty.

Beyond, an azure, painted space,
a courtyard held the dye's embrace.
He fell within, a startled face,
and turned to blue, in that liquid space.

The forest kin, they gathered near,
and filled the void with hollow cheer.
They bowed to him, their rising fear,
believing him, an avatar held dear.

A rainy season, the sky's soft weep,
a chorus rose, from slumber deep.
The blue jackal, from his slumber leap,
and joined the song, secrets to keep.

He sang aloud, a primal call,
betraying self, he could not stall.
His true voice rang, for all to see,
revealing the jackal he used to be.

They caught him then, with angry might,
they beat him hard, into the night.
The blows fell fast, a stinging plight,
*De dana dan, le dana dan,* in the dying light.