Aaj Aakhan Waris Shah Nu

Ajj Aakhan Waris Shah Nuu,
 Kiton Qabraan Wichon Bol,
 Tey Ajj Kitaab-e-Ishq Daa,
 Koi Agla Warka Phol

Today, I call Waris Shah,
 “Speak from inside your grave”
 And turn, today,
 the book of love’s next affectionate page

Ikk Royi Sii Dhi Punjab Di,
 Tu Likh Likh Maarey Wain,
 Ajj Lakhaan Dhiyan Rondiyan,
 Tenu Waris Shah Nuu Kain

Once, one daughter of Punjab cried;
 you wrote a wailing saga
 Today, a million daughters,
 cry to you, Waris Shah

Uthh Dard-Mandaan Diya Dardiya,
 Utth Tak Apna Punjab
 Ajj Bailey Lashaan Bichiyaan
 Tey Lahoo Di Bhari Chenab

Rise! O’ narrator of the grieving;
 rise! look at your Punjab
 Today, fields are lined with corpses,
 and blood fills the Chenab

Kisey Ne Panjaan Paaniyan Wich
 Diti Zahar Rala,
 Tey Unhan Paniyaan Dharat Nuu
 Dita Paani Laa

Someone has mixed poison
 in the five rivers’ flow
 Their deadly water is, now,
 irrigating our lands galore

Iss Zarkhaiz Zameen Dey
 Loon Loon Phuttiya Zahar
 Gitth Gitth Charhiyaan Laaliyan
 Fuut Fuut Charrhiya Kaher

This fertile land is sprouting,
 venom from every pore
 The sky is turning red
 from endless cries of gore

Wey Waleesi Wha Phair,
 Wan Wan Wagi Jaa,
 Ohney Har Ikk Waans Di
 Wanjli Diti Naag Bana

The toxic forest wind,
 screams from inside its wake
 Turning each flute’s bamboo-shoot,
 into a deadly snake

Pehla Dang Madaariyan,
 Mantar Gaye Guwaach,
 Doojey Dang Di Lag Gayi,
 Janey Khaney Nuu Lag

With the first snake-bite;
 charmers lost their spell
 The second bite turned all and sundry,
 into snakes, as well

Laagaan Keeley Lok Moonh,
 Bas Phir Dang Hi Dang,
 Palo Palee Punjab Dey,
 Neeley Pay Gaye Ang

Drinking from this deadly stream,
 filling the land with bane
 Slowly, Punjab’s limbs have turned black
 and blue, with pain

Galeyon Tutey Geet Phir,
 Takaleyon Tuti Tand,
 Trinjanon Tutiyaan Saheliyan,
 Charakhrrey Ghuukar Band

The street-songs have been silenced;
 cotton threads are snapped
 Girls have left their playgroups;
 the spinning wheels are cracked

Saney Saij Dey Beriyan,
 Luddan Ditiyaan Rohrr,
 Saney Daliyan Peengh Ajj,
 Piplaan Diti Torr

Our wedding beds are boats,
 their logs have cast away
 Our hanging swing,
 the Pipal tree has broken in disarray

Jithey Wajdi Si Phook Pyar Di,
 Wey Oh Wanjhli Gayi Guwaach
 Raanjhey Dey Sab Weer Ajj,
 Bhul Gaye Ohdi Jaach

Lost is the flute, which once,
 blew sounds of the heart
 Ranjha’s brothers, today,
 no longer know this art

Dharti Tey Lahoo Warsiya,
 Qabraan Paiyan Chon,
 Preet Diyan Shahzadiyan,
 Ajj Wich Mazaaraan Ron

Blood rained on our shrines;
 drenching them to the core
 Damsels of amour, today,
 sit crying at their door

Ajj Sabhey ‘Qaido’ Ban Gaye,
 Husn Ishq Dey Chor
 Ajj Kithon Liyaiye Labh Ke
 Waris Shah Ikk Hor

Today everyone is, ‘Qaido’
 thieves of beauty and ardor
 Where can we find, today,
 another Warish Shah, once more

Ajj Aakhan Waris Shah Nuu,
 Kiton Qabraan WichoN Bol,
 Tey Ajj Kitaab-e-Ishq Da,
 Koi Agla Warka Phol

Today, I call Waris Shah,
 “Speak from inside your grave”
 And turn, today,
 the book of love’s next affectionate page