main kya mera afsana kya
mite huye ko mitana kya
dil ki lagi ko sab rote hai
bulbul kya parwana kya
main kya mera afsana kya
mite huye ko mitana kya

aankh me hasrat, dil fariyadi
aankh me hasrat, dil fariyadi
kismat me thi ye barbadi
kismat me thi ye barbadi
bikhar gaye hai taar hi dil ke
tuta saaz bajana kya
main kya mera afsana kya
mite huye ko mitana kya

aankh se aansu jo bahte hai
aankh se aansu jo bahte hai
kahte hai to ye kahte hai
kahte hai to ye kahte hai
bedardo ki is duniya ko
sapne jigar dikhlana kya
main kya mera afsana kya
mite huye ko mitana kya

What am I, what is my tale?
To erase the erased, what avail?
All lament the heart's own fire,
What is the nightingale, what the moth's pyre?
What am I, what is my tale?
To erase the erased, what avail?

In the eye, desire; in the heart, a plea,
In the eye, desire; in the heart, a plea,
Destiny had decreed this misery,
Destiny had decreed this misery.
The strings of the heart now scattered are,
To play a broken instrument, what plea?
What am I, what is my tale?
To erase the erased, what avail?

From the eye, the tears they flow,
From the eye, the tears they flow,
And whisper as they go:
And whisper as they go:
To this world of hearts unfeeling,
To show the heart's dream, what glow?
What am I, what is my tale?
To erase the erased, what avail?