nadi kinare koi pukare nadi kinare koi pukare
nadi kinare koi pukare pas hamare aa
kyu sar mare bol ke hare dur yaha se ja aa
nadi kinare koi pukare

haye gori gori gav ki chhori
mai hu chanda tu hai chakori aao mile hum chori chori
chhup chhup neem tale dhat kahe ki teri meri jodi
kahe ki teri prit nigodi kahe ko meri bah marodi
kahe ko pade gale aa chhup chhup neem tale dhat
kahe ko pade gale hum hai bechare mare mare

hum hai bechare mare mare phirte hai pyare aa
kyu sar mare bol ke hare dur yaha se ja aa
nadi kinare koi pukare

nakhre dikhao na chhamak chhalo
bandh hamari pagdi se pallo
pichhe pichhe hamare chalo gori hamare gav dhat
rup ko dhup lage kumlaye gora mora badan murjhaye
najuk nar chala na jaye mehandi lagi mere pav
aa gori hamare gav ja mehandi lagi mere pav
pav tumhare sar pe hamare pav tumhare
sar pe hamare mere sahare aa

kyu sar mare bol ke hare dur yaha se ja aa
nadi kinare koi pukare nadi kinare koi pukare
nadi kinare koi pukare

A voice calls by the river's edge,
A voice calls, drawing near.
Why batter your head, words dead?
Go hence, and disappear.
A voice calls by the river's edge.

Oh, fair maiden of the village, so fair,
I the moon, and you the nightingale, meet and share
Secrets whispered, stolen trysts beneath the neem tree's shade.
Why your heart's fears, your love betrayed?
Why these arms that entwine, why the clinging hold?
Beneath the neem, let the stories fade.
Why cling to me, a heart forlorn, a soul astray?

Lost and wounded, we wander, my dear, come near,
Why batter your head, words dead?
Go hence, and disappear.
A voice calls by the river's edge.

Sultry glances, you display,
Tie your shawl to my turban's sway.
Follow me, my love, away, away,
To our village, oh so fair.
Your beauty fades, the sun's harsh glare,
My fair one's bonds wither and despair.
Your delicate feet, unable to bear,
Henna stains my feet, your gentle snare.
Oh, maiden, to our village, let's repair,
Henna stains my feet, your gentle snare.
Your feet on my head, a burden to bear,
Your feet, on my head, my only care.
Come, my support, come near.

Why batter your head, words dead?
Go hence, and disappear.
A voice calls by the river's edge,
A voice calls by the river's edge.
A voice calls by the river's edge.