होवे रे भाग भला रे साधू
Sung by Shabnam Virmani and Shreeparna Mitra
With deep gratitude to Mahesha Ramji of Chhattangadh village of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan from whom I first heard this song.
Words of the Song:
होवे रे भाग भला रे साधू
सतगुरु मड़िया, पड़ियो समंद मां सीर
हंसा रे होए चुग लीजिये रे, नाम अमोलक हीर
हरी रा गुण गाय ले, रे हाँ
अरे साधू भाई, जब लख सुखियो शरीर
पीछे रे याद नहीं आवसे, पिया, पिंजरे में व्यापे पीड़
होवे रे जोबन हता भज लीजिये रे, जेज नहीं करना बीर
विकल बुढ़ापो तने आवसे, पिया, मनड़ो नी झाले धीर
होवे रे पल पल क्षण क्षण आयु घटत है, ज्यों अंजली को नीर
फिर रे हंसो नहीं आवसे, पिया, मानसरोवरिये री सीर
होवे रे सब देवन रो देव रामैयो, सब पीरां रो पीर
कहत कबीरा भज लीजिये रे, सुखसागारिये री सीर
English Translation:
Oh yes, it was true fortune, seeker
I met the guru, the stream fell into the sea
If you’re a swan, then pick only
The priceless pearl of the Name
Sing the praises of Hari, brother
While you’re well and the body is game
You won’t remember to do it later
When your cage is rattling with pain
Meditate while you still have youth
Don’t delay, friend, don’t wait till the end
A restless old age lies in wait
Your heart will lose all patience
Sing the praises…
Life slips through our fingers like water
Each moment, each instant, trickling away
The swan returns to the mountain lake
It won’t pass anymore on this way
Sing the praises…
Oh yes, Raam is god among gods
Saint among saints
Kabir says, chant, meditate
And merge in that ocean of bliss
Sing the praises…
English Translation: Vipul Rikhi
Concert organisers: Maharaja Ranjitsinh Gaekwad Baroda Festival of Arts
Recorded in Vadodara, Gujarat in Jan 2023