pardesi balam aayi ghata ghanghor
papiha mor machaye shor jiya na lage
aaja meri sun ja apni suna ja
pardesi balam aayi ghata ghanghor
papiha mor machaye shor jiya na lage
aaja meri sun ja apni suna ja
pardesi balam

auro ke piya piya re kab ke aaye
auro ke piya piya re kab ke aaye
barasat hai nain humare nishdin haye nishdin haye
barasat hai nain humare nishdin haye nishdin haye
mera jiya na kis vidh mane dhir na dhare
roye roye mare koi kya kare bata ja
meri sun ja apni suna ja
pardesi balam

lo kale kale badal lage darane
lo kale kale badal lage darane
lo fir se aake chheda mast hawa ne mast hawa ne
lo fir se aake chheda mast hawa ne mast hawa ne
tum gaye kaise pardes baware nain bade bechain
kate na rain ho aaja
meri sun ja apni suna ja
pardesi balam aayi ghata ghanghor
papiha mor machaye shor jiya na lage
aaja meri sun ja apni suna ja
pardesi balam

The stranger-beloved, a storm cloud arrives, dark and deep,
Cuckoos and peacocks raise their cries, my heart cannot sleep.
Come, hear my words, then your own impart,
The stranger-beloved, a storm cloud arrives.

Other lovers' beloveds, have long since returned,
Other lovers' beloveds, their longing now burned.
My eyes, they pour forth their tears, night and day, ah, night and day,
My eyes, they pour forth their tears, night and day, ah, night and day.
My heart, in what way can it find ease? Patience it lacks,
Weeping, I die, what can I do? Tell me, show the way.
Come, hear my words, then your own impart,
The stranger-beloved.

Behold, the dark clouds, they frighten and loom,
Behold, the dark clouds, they usher in gloom.
The playful wind, it stirs once more, once more it does roam,
The playful wind, it stirs once more, once more it does roam.
How can you sing in this far-off land? My restless eyes roam,
The night will not end, oh, come to me soon!
Come, hear my words, then your own impart,
The stranger-beloved, a storm cloud arrives, dark and deep,
Cuckoos and peacocks raise their cries, my heart cannot sleep.
Come, hear my words, then your own impart,
The stranger-beloved.