maa bolo kab talak yun jalna hai
maa bolo kab talak yun jalna hai
or kitne din mati ban mujhe chhin chhin galna hai
maa bolo kab talak yun jalna hai

maine hare sapne ugaye nili nili jhalar ke tale
maine hare sapne ugaye nili nili jhalar ke tale
amber ke tir chale
jhulse re sanso pe dhime dhime sapne re
or kitne din aasun ban mujhe chhin chhin dhalna hai
maa bolo kab talak yun jalna hai

mati ke khilone aese koi bhi chuye or tod de
mati ke khilone aese koi bhi chuye or tod de
kaun hai jo jod de
kachhe hai mati ke sare sare nate re
or kitne din tuta man liye chhin chhin chalna hai
maa bolo kab talak yun jalna hai

har ek ghaao sehti hasti isliye mati khilti hai
bar bar mitke sabarti tabi maa ki murat banti hai
kaisi ajab hasti hai mayiya tu roye to koyal kaise gaye re
or jitne tera dil chhile til til chhilna hai
maa bolo kab talak yun jalna hai
maa bolo maa maa maa maa bolo

Mother, tell me, how long must I burn?
Mother, tell me, how long must I burn?
How many days must I, clay-formed, crumble and return?
Mother, tell me, how long must I burn?

I sowed green dreams beneath the blue, shimmering lace,
I sowed green dreams beneath the blue, shimmering lace,
As arrows fell from space.
My breath scorches, slow, the dreams I embrace.
How many days must I, tears flowing, be replaced?
Mother, tell me, how long must I burn?

Clay toys, so easily touched and broken down,
Clay toys, so easily touched and broken down,
Who will put them back around?
Raw are all the ties that bind to ground.
How many days must I, broken-hearted, drown?
Mother, tell me, how long must I burn?

She bears each wound, smiling, that the clay might bloom,
She vanishes, again and again, patiently, to become
The image of a mother's tomb.
What a strange existence, in gloom!
If you weep, Mother, how can the cuckoo croon?
How long must your heart be chipped, bit by bit, consumed?
Mother, tell me, how long must I be consumed?
Mother, tell me, Mother, Mother, Mother, tell me soon.