eli re eli kya hai ye paheli
aisa vaisa kuchh kyu hota hai saheli
eli re eli kya hai ye paheli
aisa vaisa kuchh kyu hota hai saheli
meri angdaaiya o meri angdaaiya
meri tanhaaiya meri angdaaiya kitani akeli
eli re eli kya hai ye paheli
aisa vaisa kuchh kyu hota hai saheli
tu ru rum tu ru rum tu ru rum
tu ru rum tu ru rum
eli re eli kya hai ye paheli
aisa vaisa kuchh kyu hota hai saheli
tu ru rum tu ru rum tu ru rum
tu ru rum tu ru rum

chali hai ab ke baras naa jaane kaisi ye hawaaye
chalu mai laakh sambhalke par kadam dagmagaaye
naa jaane kyu aisi baate mere dil me aaye jaaye
ke meri saari saheliya mehandi lagaaye
mai bhi aage kar du apni hatheli
eli re eli kya hai ye paheli
aisa vaisa kuchh kyu hota hai saheli

kaha hu mai to yaha hu bas mai toh yahi hu
naa jaane dil hai kahi meraa aur mai kahi hu
naa aisi soni hu mai naa mai itni hasin hu
ke dekhu darpan to lagata hai ye mai nahi hu
oye oye koyi dekhe meri ye hatheli
eli re eli kya hai ye paheli
aisa vaisa kuchh kyu hota hai saheli

ye din hai chhote chhote to badi lambi lambi raate
arre lo saawan se pehale hone lagi barsaate
kisi se hone lagi hai sapano me mulaakaate
o jaao mujhako sikhao naa tum aisi vaisi baate
tum dono ne milake jaan meri le li
eli re eli kya hai ye paheli
aisa vaisa kuchh kyu hota hai saheli tu

o dekho koyi tasvir nahi ye ek paigaam hai
kisi ne dur se bheja tum sab ko salaam hai
badi hi pyaari si surat bada pyara pyara naam hai
dilo ko mel karana achhe dosto kaa kaam hai
tum me se ek hai dulhan wo naveli
eli re eli kya hai ye paheli
aisa vaisa kuchh kyu hota hai saheli
eli re eli kya hai ye paheli
aisa vaisa kuchh kyu hota hai saheli tu
tu ru rum tu ru rum tu ru rum
tu ru rum tu ru rum

Oh, Lily, Lily, what riddle is this?
Why does this and that always persist?
Oh, Lily, Lily, what riddle is this?
Why does this and that always persist?
My stretches, oh my stretches,
My solitudes, my stretches, how alone they exist.
Oh, Lily, Lily, what riddle is this?
Why does this and that always persist?
Tu ru rum, tu ru rum, tu ru rum,
Tu ru rum, tu ru rum.
Oh, Lily, Lily, what riddle is this?
Why does this and that always persist?
Tu ru rum, tu ru rum, tu ru rum,
Tu ru rum, tu ru rum.

This year, the breezes blow, I know not how,
Though I walk with care, my steps falter now.
Why do such thoughts in my heart come and go,
That all my friends are applying henna, I know.
I, too, shall offer my palm, I vow.
Oh, Lily, Lily, what riddle is this?
Why does this and that always persist?

Where am I? I am here, just here I abide,
But my heart wanders, where does it hide?
I'm not so beautiful, nor am I so fair,
When I see the mirror, I'm not really there.
Oh, oh, someone, look at my palm, I dare!
Oh, Lily, Lily, what riddle is this?
Why does this and that always persist?

These days are short, but the nights are long,
Before the monsoon, the rains have begun their song.
In dreams, I meet with someone, all along,
Oh, go on, teach me, don't speak of wrong,
Both of you together, have taken my life's thong.
Oh, Lily, Lily, what riddle is this?
Why does this and that always persist?

Oh, see, this is not a picture, but a message sent,
Someone from afar sends greetings, heaven-sent.
A lovely face, a precious name, heaven-lent,
To unite hearts is the work of friends, content.
One of you is the bride, newly, heaven-bent.
Oh, Lily, Lily, what riddle is this?
Why does this and that always persist?
Oh, Lily, Lily, what riddle is this?
Why does this and that always persist?
Tu ru rum, tu ru rum, tu ru rum,
Tu ru rum, tu ru rum.