quasid ke aate aate
khat ek aur likh rakhu
main janta hu jo
wo likhenge jawab me

kab se hu kya bataun
jahan e kharab mein
kab se hu kya bataun
jahan e kharab mein
shab haye hijr ko bhi
rakhun gar hisaab mein

mujh tak kab unki bazm mein
aata tha daur e zaam
mujh tak kab unki bazm mein
aata tha daur e zaam
saaqi ne kuch mila na
diya ho sharaab mein

ta fir na intezaar mein
neend aaye umr bhar
ta fir na intezaar mein
neend aaye umr bhar
aane ka ahad kar gaye
aaye jo khwaab mein

ghalib chhuti sharaab
par ab bhi kabhi kabhi
ghalib chhuti sharaab
par ab bhi kabhi kabhi
peeta hoon roz e abr
o shab e maahtaab mein

kab se hoon kya bataun
jahaan e kharaab mein
shab haye hijr ko bhi
rakhu gar hisaab mein

Before the dusk descends,
another letter I'll pen,
knowing well the words
they'll weave in their reply then.

How long, in this world's ruin,
have I lingered, I can't tell,
How long, in this world's ruin,
have I lingered, I can't tell,
If I counted all the sorrows
where separation fell.

When did the cup's embrace,
reach my place in their hall,
When did the cup's embrace,
reach my place in their hall,
The cupbearer held no favor
in the liquor, no call.

So that I may never
waste the years in sleep,
So that I may never
waste the years in sleep,
They promised to come to me,
only in dreams, so deep.

Ghalib, I've left the wine,
but still, from time to time,
Ghalib, I've left the wine,
but still, from time to time,
I drink beneath the clouds,
and moon's silver chime.

How long, in this world's ruin,
have I lingered, I can't tell,
If I counted all the sorrows
where separation fell.