aa kahe ko biyahi bides
kahe ko biyahi bides re babul kahe ko biyahi bides
aisi na thi more mayke ki galiya aisi na thi aisi na thi
aisi na thi more mayke ki galiya jaisa piya ji ka des re babul
kahe ko biyahi bides o kahe ko biyahi bides re babul
kahe ko biyahi bides

padh gaye komal pairo me chhale
padh gaye komal pairo me chhale
lag gaye hontho pe chup ke tale
lakh jo anjane wale ek ke hath
bheja na mere baiya ne sandes
re babul kahe ko biyahi bides
kahe ko biyahi bides re babul kahe ko biyahi bides

likh likh phadi kitni pattiya likh likh phadi kitni pattiya
likh na paau biti batiya chote din aur lambi ratiya
yaad karu sare mehle do mehle
lagi piya ke des re babul kahe ko biyahi bides
kahe ko biyahi bides re babul kahe ko biyahi bides

jivan sapna nikla jutha o jivan sapna nikla jutha
mera man mujhse bhi rutha mukh gayi san me darpan tuta
apna aap na pahchanu badla jivan ne aisa bes re babul
kahe ko biyahi bides kahe ko biyahi bides re babul
kahe ko biyahi bides

Why, oh why, to a foreign land?
Why, Father, to a foreign land?
My maiden home, its lanes, not so,
Not as they are in my husband's land.
Why, oh why, to a foreign land?
Why, Father, to a foreign land?

Upon my tender feet, blisters bloom,
On my lips, a silent, locked room.
Though millions come, no whispered plea,
No message sent from my new home's decree.
Why, Father, to a foreign land?
Why, oh why, to a foreign land?

Countless leaves, my pen has torn,
Unable to write the life I've borne.
Short the days, long the nights they seem,
Longing for homes that haunt my dream.
Why, Father, to a foreign land?
Why, oh why, to a foreign land?

Life, a dream, a fleeting lie,
My own heart now passes me by.
The mirror cracks, my soul laid bare,
I know not the self I used to wear.
Why, Father, to a foreign land?
Why, oh why, to a foreign land?