Death. How can we forget it? The most basic fact of life is forgotten in the rush of life itself. Kabir reminds us - that which is built will fall; that which is born will die. This is a live recording from a concert given in Bangalore in January 2017.
This beautiful song learnt from Bharmal Vagha of Kutch.
Chun chun maati mahal banaaya
Moorakh kahe ghar mera
Moorakh kahe ghar mera
Na ghar mera na ghar tera
Hai jagat mein phera
Khaak mein khap jaana re banda
Maati se mil jaana
Thoda (nahin) karo abhimaan
Ik din pavan sa ud jaana
Jaada pehro jheena pehro
Pehro malmal saacha
Rupya paawal mushroo pehro
Toye maran keri aasa
Khaak mein khap jaana…
Sona pehro roopa pehro
Pehro heerla saacha
Vaar vaar motida pehro
Toye maran keri aasa
Khaak mein khap jaana…
Maata roye janam janam
Aur behen roye baarah maasa
Ghar ki naari ter din roye
Kare beeja ni aasa
Khaak mein khap jaana…
Ik din jiyo do din jiyo
Jiyo varas pachaasa
Kahat Kabira suno bhai saadho
Toye maran keri aasa
Khaak mein khap jaana…
Laying Brick Upon Brick
Laying brick upon brick
Laying brick upon brick
The fool says, “My house”!
Not my house, nor your house
This world’s a merry-go-round
You’ll turn to dust one day
You’ll turn to dust one day
You’ll merge with the earth
Don’t be so proud, oh fellow
The wind will blow you away
Your attire may be fine or rough
Your attire may be fine or rough
You may wear the best silks
Spend a lot of money on finery
It all ends in death
You’ll turn to dust…
Wear expensive gold or silver
Wear expensive gold or silver
Or the finest diamonds
Wear pearls over and over
It all ends in death
You’ll turn to dust…
You mother may mourn for years
Your sister for many months
Your partner will wait a few days
Then look for someone else!
You’ll turn to dust…
You may live one day or two
Or a hundred years
Kabir says, listen friend
It all ends in death
You’ll turn to dust…
You’ll turn to dust…
Translation: Vipul Rikhi
