ye kya zindagi hai, ye kaisa jaha hai
ye kya zindagi hai, ye kaisa jaha hai
jidhar dekhiye zulm ki dasta hai
ye kya zindagi hai, ye kaisa jaha hai

kahi hai kaphas me kisi ka basera
kahi hai nigaho me gam ka andhera
kahi dil ka lutata huya karawa hai
jidhar dekhiye zulm ki dasta hai
ye kya zindagi hai, ye kaisa jaha hai

yaha aadami aadami ka hai dushman
yaha chak inasaniyat ka hai daman
mohabbat ka ujada huya aashiya hai
jidhar dekhiye zulm ki dasta hai
ye kya zindagi hai, ye kaisa jaha hai

ye beraham duniya samajh me na aaye
yaha kar rahe hai sitamagar khudayi
na jane tu aye duniya wale kaha hai
jidhar dekhiye zulm ki dasta hai
ye kya zindagi hai, ye kaisa jaha hai

What life is this, what world is this we tread,
What life is this, what world is this instead,
Wherever eyes may gaze, a tale of dread,
What life is this, what world is this we dread.

Here, in a cage, a soul finds its despair,
Here, in the gaze, sorrow’s shadows snare,
Here, a heart's caravan, lost beyond compare,
Wherever eyes may gaze, a tale of despair,
What life is this, what world is this we dare.

Here, man to man, a venomous foe,
Here, the robe of humanity torn below,
Love's very dwelling, in ruins we know,
Wherever eyes may gaze, a tale of woe,
What life is this, what world is this, we sow.

This heartless world, it cannot be understood,
Here, tormentors claim a Godly hood,
O, ye people of the world, where are you stood?
Wherever eyes may gaze, a tale of the wood,
What life is this, what world is this, for good.