aye ghunghru ki jhankar sunne walo
ab tute dil ke tar ki bhi jhankar suno
mahfil ki muskano me jhumne walo
mere aasuwan se bhigi aaj pukar suno

mere dil ki jali hai aaj holi
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi
mere dil ki jali hai aaj holi
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi
mere dil ki jali hai aaj holi
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi

ganga jaisa nirmal nishchal sukhi ek gaw tha
sukhi ek gaw tha
gaw rank dono barabar nahi bhedbhaw tha
nahi bhedbhaw tha
uske gun gaau labo se dunia doli
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi
mere dil ki jali hai aaj holi
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi

aise gaw me ek bhola bhala kulwant tha
bhala kulwant tha
sadachari sewa bhari man ka sadhu sant tha
sadhu sant tha
uski ek menka ne papi dust kholi
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi
mere dil ki jali hai aaj holi
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi

nadi par us nagan ne jaal bichaya
jaal bichaya
nach gaan se logo ko diwana banaya
diwana banaya
fash gayi jaal me uske janta bholi
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi
mangne jawab gaya wo chali naritiki ne chal
chali naritiki ne chal
shringar ki andhi me fansa panchi behal
fansa panchi behal
kate pankh chalai aisi goli
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi
mere dil ki jali hai aaj holi
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi

hui bhang uski tapasya kahi ka raha na wo
kahi ka raha na wo
abhakt patan ki sima thi
hua bhrasth aisa wo hua bhrasth aisa wo
uski kutto ke jaisi halat holi
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi

kaise bolu kaleja
apne hi karmo se ye durdasha banai
durdasha banai
apne hi hatho apni chita hai rachai
chita hai rachai
aaj arthi bani hai meri doli
aaj arthi bani hai meri doli
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi
kaisi kismat ne ki hai thitholi

O, you who heed the jingling bells, now hear
The fractured strings, their broken chime, draw near.
You who rejoice within the festive gleam,
Attend my tear-soaked, sorrow-laden scream.

My heart today, a pyre ablaze, burns deep,
What jest of fate has caused my soul to weep?

Once, like the Ganges, pure, serene, content,
A village thrived, its spirit heaven-sent.
No rank, no caste, no difference held sway,
Its virtues sung, the world swayed in its way.
What jest of fate has caused my soul to weep?
My heart today, a pyre ablaze, burns deep.
What jest of fate has caused my soul to weep?

Within that haven, good Kulwant did reside,
A gentle soul, where kindness did abide.
A servant true, a saint in heart and deed,
But then a temptress, a dark Mainka, did bleed.
What jest of fate has caused my soul to weep?
My heart today, a pyre ablaze, burns deep.
What jest of fate has caused my soul to weep?

Across the river, a serpent’s snare was spun,
A web of dance, where all were overcome.
Bewitched by song, the simple folk did fall,
Into her trap, enmeshed beyond recall.
What jest of fate has caused my soul to weep?
He sought for answers, she set the final game,
In storms of lust, a trapped bird, lost in shame.
She clipped his wings, a fatal shot did send.
What jest of fate has caused my soul to weep?
My heart today, a pyre ablaze, burns deep.
What jest of fate has caused my soul to weep?

His penance shattered, nowhere left to roam,
Beyond the pale, he had no sacred home.
Corrupted, fallen, by his own design,
His fate, a dog's, a fate so cruel and malign.
What jest of fate has caused my soul to weep?

How can I speak, my heart consumed by fire?
By my own deeds, this wretched pyre.
By my own hands, I built my funeral pyre,
My bier today, a sorrowful desire.
What jest of fate has caused my soul to weep?