177. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Saawan ke Mahine mein...

Movie: SHARABI (1964)
Music: Madan Mohan
Lyrics: Rajinder Krishan


Inimitable Rafi Sahaab sings in a drunken style: Saawan ke Mahine me.n.....

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original lyrics:


sochtaa hoo.n, piyoo.n, piyoo.n, na piyoo.n,
TO QUAFF, TO DRINK OR NOT TO DRINK, I WONDER

Chaak daaman, siyoo.n, siyoo.n na siyoo.n,
SHOULD I DRIVE AWAY THE BLUES OR NOT,

dekh kar jaam, kashmakash me.n hoo.n,
ON SEEING THE GOBLET I’M IN A DILEMMA:

kyaa karoo.n mai.n, jiyoo.n , jiyoo.n, haay! na jiyoo.n,
WHAT TO DO: ENJOY LIFE? LIVE? ALAS! NOT TO LIVE?


saawan ke maheene me.n,
IN THE MONTH OF RAINS,

ik aag sii seene me.n,
IN THE BOSOM, SOMETHING FIRE-LIKE

lagtee hai to pee letaa hoo.n,
IGNITES, SO I IMBIBE,

doh chaar gha.dee jee letaa hoo.n,
FOR A FEW MOMENTS I ENJOY LIFE

saawan ke maheene me.n.
IN THE MONTH OF RAINS.


chaa.nd ki chaal bhee, hai behkee huee,
THE PACE OF THE MOON TOO IS WOBBLY,

raat ki aa.nkh bhee, sharaabee hai,
THE EYES OF THE NIGHT TOO IS DRUNKEN,

saaree qudrat, nashe me.n hai jab choor,
WHEN THE ENTIRE NATURE IS SODDEN WITH INEBRIETY

arre mai.n ne pee lee, toh kyaa, kharaabee hai,
HEY, IF I DID DRINK THEN WHAT’S SO APPALLING?


saawan ke maheene me.n,
IN THE MONTH OF RAINS,

ik aag sii seene me.n,
IN THE BOSOM, SOMETHING FIRE-LIKE

lagtee hai to pee letaa hoo.n,
IGNITES, SO I IMBIBE,

doh chaar gha.dee jee letaa hoo.n,
FOR A FEW MOMENTS I ENJOY LIFE,

saawan ke maheene me.n,
IN THE MONTH OF RAINS,

ik aag sii seene me.n,
IN THE BOSOM, SOMETHING FIRE-LIKE

lagtee hai to pee letaa hoo.n,
IGNITES, SO I IMBIBE,

doh chaar gha.dee jee letaa hoo.n,
FOR A FEW MOMENTS I ENJOY LIFE,

saawan ke maheene me.n.
IN THE MONTH OF RAINS.

NASIR.

Amid the flowers, a jug of wine
Alone I drink and none with me
The cup I lift the Moon invite
Who with my shadow makes three

Li Po’s poem: (Translation by W.J.B. Fletcher)