phul muskuraye kyu chand jagmagaye kyu
jaam khankhanaye kyu ye to bata sakiya
phul muskuraye kyu chand jagmagaye kyu
jaam khankhanaye kyu ye to bata sakiya
ye to bata o sakiya
gesuo ke saye kyu roshni pe chhaye kyu
raat muh chhupaye kyu ye to bata sakiya
ye to bata o sakiya
haye mai kya janu

angur me sharaab hai to kisliye
kamsin ye shabaab hai to kisliye
sathiya teri jhuki nigaah me
is kadar hisab hai to kisliye
jaam tu badaye kyu
jaam tu badaye kyu
jhum kar pilaye kyu
koi ladkhadaye kyu ye to bata sakiya
ye to bata o sakiya
phul muskuraye kyu chand jagmagaye kyu
jaam khankhanaye kyu ye to bata sakiya
ye to bata o sakiya
haye haye mai kya janu

husn me gurur hai to kisliye
aankh me surur hai to kisliye
ye bata de rukh pe tere mahjbin
chandani ka noor hai to kisliye
noor jilmilaaye kyu ho noor jilmilaye kyu
har najar pe chhaye kyu
roshani lutaye kyu ye to bata sakiya
ye to bata o sakiya
phul muskuraye kyu chand jagmagaye kyu
jaam khankhanaye kyu ye to bata sakiya
ye to bata o sakiya
haye mai kya janu

Why does the flower bloom, why does the moon gleam?
Why does the goblet clink, oh tell me, Saqi, I dream.
Why does the flower bloom, why does the moon gleam?
Why does the goblet clink, oh tell me, Saqi, I dream.
Oh, tell me, Saqi, now.

Why do shadows of tresses veil the light's embrace?
Why does the night hide its face, in this sacred space?
Oh, tell me, Saqi, now.
Alas, how can I know?

If wine resides within the grape, tell me why?
If youth is in its prime, then tell me why?
Companion, in your lowered gaze, so deep,
Why is such reckoning, so you and I?
Why does the goblet rise?
Why does the goblet rise?
Why does it pour, in drunken guise?
Why does someone stumble, oh tell me, Saqi, I surmise.
Oh, tell me, Saqi, now.
Why does the flower bloom, why does the moon gleam?
Why does the goblet clink, oh tell me, Saqi, I dream.
Oh, tell me, Saqi, now.
Alas, alas, how can I know?

If beauty holds its pride, then tell me why?
If ecstasy is in the eye, then tell me why?
Tell me, oh radiant one, upon your face,
If moonlight's glow is there, then tell me why?
Why does the light shimmer?
Why does the light shimmer?
Why does it envelop, in this very hour?
Why does it lavish its splendor, oh tell me, Saqi, I empower.
Oh, tell me, Saqi, now.
Why does the flower bloom, why does the moon gleam?
Why does the goblet clink, oh tell me, Saqi, I dream.
Oh, tell me, Saqi, now.
Alas, how can I know?