o babu o lala ji
mere gaal hai gulabi mere nain hai sharabi
mere gaal hai gulabi mere nain hai sharabi
jhatke hai meri kamriya mein
meri dhum hai saari nagariya mein
nachna gaana mera kaam
babu ho babu ho gulabo mera naam
mere gaal hai gulabi mere nain hai sharabi
mere gaal hai gulabi mere nain hai sharabi

nirdhan ki ek ladki mele mein akeli hai
dukh uska hai saathi logo bhukh uski saheli hai
us par na buri najar dalo
ae chhail chhabile dil walo
ho jaaye na wo badnaam
babu ho babu ho gulabo mera naam
mere gaal hai gulabi mere nain hai sharabi
mere gaal hai gulabi mere nain hai sharabi

nach bahut dekh chuke paisa bhi de do jara
o babu ji suno jara o babu ji o lala ji
khel mera khatam hua main geeto ki banjaran hu
mat samjho koi bhikharan hun geeto ka de do daam
babu ho babu ho gulabo mera naam
jhatke hai meri kamriya mein
meri dhum hai saari nagariya mein
nachana gaana mera kaam
babu ho babu ho gulabo mera naam
mere gaal hai gulabi mere nain hai sharabi
mere gaal hai gulabi mere nain hai sharabi

Oh, Baboo, Oh Lala Ji,

My cheeks, a blush of rose, my eyes, a drunken sea,
My cheeks, a blush of rose, my eyes, a drunken sea.
My waist, a tremor, a sway in the light,
My fame, a whisper through the city's night.
To dance and to sing, my destined art,
Baboo, oh Baboo, my name is Gulabo, a beating heart.
My cheeks, a blush of rose, my eyes, a drunken sea,
My cheeks, a blush of rose, my eyes, a drunken sea.

A maiden forlorn, amidst the carnival's gleam,
Alone she stands, a tragic dream.
Sorrow her kin, and hunger her constant friend,
Do not cast upon her your gaze that would offend.
Oh, you handsome ones, you hearts so free,
Lest her name be stained for all to see,
Baboo, oh Baboo, my name is Gulabo, a beating heart.
My cheeks, a blush of rose, my eyes, a drunken sea,
My cheeks, a blush of rose, my eyes, a drunken sea.

You've watched me dance, seen the story unfold,
Now offer some silver, a coin to behold.
Oh, Baboo Ji, listen, oh Baboo Ji, Oh Lala Ji,
My performance ends, I, a song's caravan,
Do not mistake me, a beggar, a dying swan.
Give me the price of my song, the worth of my plea.
Baboo, oh Baboo, my name is Gulabo, a beating heart.
My waist, a tremor, a sway in the light,
My fame, a whisper through the city's night.
To dance and to sing, my destined art,
Baboo, oh Baboo, my name is Gulabo, a beating heart.
My cheeks, a blush of rose, my eyes, a drunken sea,
My cheeks, a blush of rose, my eyes, a drunken sea.