maa bolo kab talak yu jalna hai
maa bolo kab talak yu jalna hai
aur kitne din matti bn mujhe chhin chhin galna hai
maa bolo kab talak yu jalna hai

mane bhare sapne ugaye
nili nili jhalar ke tale
mane bhare sapne ugaye
nili nili jhalar ke tale

ambar ke tir chale
julse re sanso ke bine bine sapno re
aur kitne din aansu bn mujhe chhin chhin dhalna hai
maa bolo kab talak yu jalna hai

matti ke khilone se koi bhi chua yu tod de
o matti ke khilone se koi bhi chua yu tod de
kaun hai jo jod de
kacche hai matti ke sare sare nate hai
aur kitna dil tuta man liye chhin chhin chalna hai
maa bolo kab talak yu jalna hai

rond gayi chak chaddi par
pyali hi bni me rah gayi
ho tuti hui matki pyali meri sab kahani kah gayi
matti to matti hi rahi
bhule re matti to sabhi sanghe sathi
aur kitne din jutha tan liye chhin chhin marna hai
maa bolo kab talak yu jalna hai
maa bolo maa bolo maa maa maa maa maa maa maa maa bolo

Mother, tell me, how long must I burn?
Mother, tell me, how long must I burn?
How many days must I, earth-formed, crumble and return?
Mother, tell me, how long must I burn?

I sowed dreams, abundant and deep,
Beneath the blue, shimmering eaves,
I sowed dreams, abundant and deep,
Beneath the blue, shimmering eaves.

Arrows of sky descend,
Scorching, withering, every breath, every dream.
How many days must I, tears flowing, ebb and stream?
Mother, tell me, how long must I burn?

A clay toy, touched, easily breaks,
Oh, a clay toy, touched, easily breaks,
Who can mend, who can make whole?
Raw, these bonds of earth, all that we claim.
How many broken hearts must I carry, my spirit to tame?
Mother, tell me, how long must I burn?

Trampled on the potter's wheel,
Only a fractured cup remains,
Oh, my shattered vessel, cup of clay, whispers my tale.
Earth remains only earth,
Forgotten, all companions of clay and dust.
How many days must I, burdened by this fleeting frame,
die a little, again and again, in shame?
Mother, tell me, how long must I burn?
Mother, tell me, oh tell me, Mother, Mother, Mother, Mother, Mother, Mother, Mother, tell me.