hum behano ke liye mere bhaiya aata hai ek din saal me
aata hai ek din saal me
aaj ke din main jahan bhi rahun chale aana waha har haal me
chale aana waha har haal me
hum behano ke liye mere bhaiya aata hai ek din saal me
aata hai ek din saal me

kitane din aur kitani raine is aangan me rehna hai maine
kitane din aur kitani raine is aangan me rehna hai maine
pardesi hoti hai behane
babul jane bhej de meri doli kab sasural me
chale aana waha har haal me
hum behano ke liye mere bhaiya aata hai ek din saal me
aata hai ek din saal me

main hun bholi bairi jamana bhaiya meri laaj bachana
main hun bholi bairi jamana bhaiya meri laaj bachana
is rakhi ki reet nibhana
aisa na ho main tadapu aise bulbul jaise daal me
chale aana waha har haal me
hum behano ke liye mere bhaiya aata hai ek din saal me
aata hai ek din saal me

Once a year, my brother comes to us,
Once a year.
No matter where I wander, on this day,
Come find me, without fail, come near.
Once a year, my brother comes to us,
Once a year.

How many suns, how many nights, will I
Still grace this courtyard, still be here?
A stranger's path, a sister's plight,
When will my father send my doli,
To my new home, to my new sphere?
Come find me, without fail, come near.
Once a year, my brother comes to us,
Once a year.

I am naive, the world, a foe,
Brother, protect my honor, quell my fear.
Uphold the thread of this Rakhi's vow,
Lest I, a songbird, trapped below,
Like a nightingale, be caught and tear.
Come find me, without fail, come near.
Once a year, my brother comes to us,
Once a year.