pahne pili rang saari
laal laagi ho kinaari

main to gawan chali hoon kaahe bole papiha
bole papiha
naina more kajraare beli gajra sanwaare
naina more kajraare beli gajra sanwaare
laali hothon ki niraali
laali hothon ki niraali
ras ghole papiha, ghole papiha
kaahe bole papiha, bole papiha
main to gawan chali hoon kaahe bole papiha
bole papiha

maathhe ki bindiya cham-cham chamke
maathhe ki bindiya cham-cham chamke
paayal mori chham-chham chhamke
paayal mori chham-chham chhamke
more nainaa matwaare kare chhup ke ishaare
kare chhup ke ishaare, waha jhulungi
waha jhulungi dulaar ke hindole papiha
fole papiha
kaahe bole papiha, bole papiha
main to gawan chali hun kaahe bole papiha
bole papiha

man ki umangen sanwaare chali main
man ki umangen sanwaare chali main
dulhan bani pi ke dwaare chali main
dulhan bani pi ke dwaare chali main
unmein kho jaaungi, unki ho jaaungi
unmein kho jaaungi, unki ho jaaungi
diya rang aur umang bhara dole papiha
dole papiha
kaahe bole papiha, bole papiha
main to gawan chali hoon kaahe bole
papiha bole papiha
kaahe bole papiha bole papiha

Sheathed in saffron, a sari's embrace,
Crimson lips its edges trace.

As I journey, why does the cuckoo call?
Why does the cuckoo call?
My eyes, kohl-darkened, jasmine adorn,
My eyes, kohl-darkened, jasmine adorn.
The scarlet of my lips, a sight divine,
The scarlet of my lips, a sight divine.
They spill the nectar, the cuckoo sings,
They spill the nectar, the cuckoo sings.
Why does the cuckoo call?
Why does the cuckoo call?
As I journey, why does the cuckoo call?
Why does the cuckoo call?

The forehead jewel, a shimmering gleam,
The forehead jewel, a shimmering gleam,
My anklets chime, a rhythmic dream,
My anklets chime, a rhythmic dream.
My eyes, intoxicated, whisper secrets,
Whisper secrets, there I will swing,
There I will swing, on love's own swing, cuckoo,
Swaying, cuckoo,
Why does the cuckoo call?
Why does the cuckoo call?
As I journey, why does the cuckoo call?
Why does the cuckoo call?

The heart's desires, I gather and go,
The heart's desires, I gather and go,
A bride, I walk to my beloved's home,
A bride, I walk to my beloved's home,
I will vanish in him, his I will be,
I will vanish in him, his I will be,
A light, a hue, a passion the cuckoo sways,
Sways, cuckoo,
Why does the cuckoo call?
Why does the cuckoo call?
As I journey, why does the cuckoo call?
Why does the cuckoo call?
Why does the cuckoo call?
Why does the cuckoo call?