It’s all a game of come-and-go! Nothing stays; everything slips away. Fleeting, transient, impermanent. And, therefore, beautiful! In this poignant yet delightful song, the saint-poet Brahmanand speaks directly of this truth. I learnt this song through Mooralala Marwada. You can listen to his version on Ajab Shahar here.
Sab chala chali ka khela
Do din ka hai jug maan mela
Sab chala chali ka khela
Do din ka hai jug maan mela
Sab chala chali ka khela
Koi chala gaya, koi jaave
Koi gathhdi baandh sidhaave
Koi khada taiyaar akela
Sab chala chali ka khela
Koi gathhdi baandh sidhaave
Koi khada taiyaar akela
Sab chala chali ka khela
Kar paap kapat jaal maaya
Dhan laakh karod kamaaya
Sang chale nahin ek dhela
Sab chala chali ka khela
Dhan laakh karod kamaaya
Sang chale nahin ek dhela
Sab chala chali ka khela
Ghar maat pita sab bhaai
Tere ant suha ek naai
Ud jaayega hans akela
Sab chala chali ka khela
Tere ant suha ek naai
Ud jaayega hans akela
Sab chala chali ka khela
Yeh nashvar sab sansaara
Kar bhajan prabhu ka pyaara
Brahmanand kahe sun chela
Sab chala chali ka khela
Kar bhajan prabhu ka pyaara
Brahmanand kahe sun chela
Sab chala chali ka khela
It’s all a game of come-and-go
It’s all a game of come-and-go
Our meetings in the world are fleeting
It’s all a game of come-and-go
Someone’s going, someone’s gone
Someone’s packing their bags to go
Another stands alone, ready for the road
It’s all a game of come-and-go
Plotting, scheming in the web of life
You amassed a billion in wealth
Couldn’t take a penny when you went
It’s all a game of come-and-go
You amassed a billion in wealth
Couldn’t take a penny when you went
It’s all a game of come-and-go
Mother, father, siblings and friends
No one comes along at the end
The swan flies away alone
It’s all a game of come-and-go
The world’s in the throes of death
Meditate on the master, my friend
Brahmanand says, listen seeker
It’s all a game of come-and-go
Translation: Vipul Rikhi and Shabnam Virmani
Translation: Vipul Rikhi and Shabnam Virmani
