haye koi kah de papiha se ja ke
bairi kahe chhede pihu pihu gaa ke
haye koi kah de papiha se ja ke
bairi kahe chhede pihu pihu gaa ke

rut sawan ki mukh par aaye kyu
jhumti gata me koi aag lagaye kyu
rut sawan ki mukh par aaye kyu
jhumti gata me koi aag lagaye kyu
mere pas aaye vo to mere pas aaye vo to
kahu samjha ke bairi kahe chhede pihu pihu gaa ke
haye koi kah de papiha se ja ke
bairi kahe chhede pihu pihu gaa ke

kabhi khile kali or kabhi murjhaye hai
ja rey papiha kaliyo pe pade teri haye hai
kabhi khile kali or kabhi murjhaye hai
ja rey papai kaliyo pe pade teri haye hai
jiya chahe noch lu mai
jiya chahe noch lu mai pankh tere aake
bairi kahe chhede pihu pihu gaa ke
haye koi kah de papiha se ja ke
bairi kahe chhede pihu pihu gaa ke
haye koi kah de papiha se ja ke
bairi kahe chhede pihu pihu gaa ke

Go, tell the cuckoo, whisper low,
Why does it taunt, with cries that flow?
Go, tell the cuckoo, soft and near,
Why pierce my soul, this song of fear?

The monsoon's breath upon my face,
Why stir the fire in this empty space?
The monsoon's breath, a cruel design,
Why ignite the heart, that was once mine?
If he should come, if he draws near,
I'll beg him, whisper in his ear,
Why does it taunt, with cries that flow?
Go, tell the cuckoo, whisper low,
Why pierce my soul, this song of woe?

Sometimes blooms the bud, then fades away,
Cuckoo, begone! Your curse will stay.
Sometimes blooms, a fleeting grace,
Cuckoo, your curse I now embrace.
My heart would tear, would tear away,
Your feathered wings, without delay,
Why does it taunt, with cries that flow?
Go, tell the cuckoo, whisper low,
Why pierce my soul, this song of woe?
Go, tell the cuckoo, soft and near,
Why pierce my soul, this song of fear?