fasl-e-gul hai sharaab pii leejiye
zid na keejiye janaab pii leejiye
It is the season of flowers, intoxicate yourself
don't be so persistent, intoxicate yourself.
maikashoN mujh tak ye ghanghor ghatayeN aayiiN
tum pe rahmat hu'ii, taubaa pe balaayeN aayiiN
O imbibers! The heavy-cast clouds burst forth to me
its mercy for you, and misfortune for penitence.
pii leejiye
Intoxicate yourself.
jhuumtii Qiblaa se ghanghor ghataayeN aayiiN haiN
Swaying dark clouds have come from the direction of Mecca.
ab to pii leejiye
At least now intoxicate yourself.
sheikh jii thoRii sii pii lo aaj to
kaun dekhegaa andherii raat hai
O abstinent! Drink a little at least today
the night is dark and no one would see.
muskuraao bahaar ke din haiN
gul khilao bahaar ke din haiN
mai nahiiN to ashq-e-gham hi sahi
pii bhi jaao bahaar ke din haiN
Smile as it is spring.
Let the flowers bloom in the days of spring.
If there is no wine then drink the tears of suffering
drink as these are the days of spring.
jaa ke dil sad baaraa sii lo
kuch der to beKhudii meN jii lo
kyuuN hazrat-e-zaahid hai tahammul itnaa
maiKhane kii Khairaat hai pii lo
Go forth and sew the wounds of heart
live in the state of unconsciousness for some time.
Why so much restraint, O abstinent?
Drink because it is the charity from the tavern.
aage chal kar hisaab honaa hai
is liye be-hisaab pii leejiye
One has to give an account on the day of judgment
so, drink as much as you can.
do-do qatre haiN jaam ke andar
kar ke zer-e-niqaab pii leejiye
Just two drops are in the glass
drink them up under the guise of veil.
jo piye chhup ke vo munaafiq hai
be-takalluf sharaab pii leejiye
One who drinks furtively is a hypocrite
drink without any thoughts.
dil kaa shiisha hai aur Khuluus ki mai
ab to aalii-janaab pii leejiye
Glass is of heart and wine is of faith
now dear sir, drink now at least.
jaavidaanii suruur aayegaa
aasmaanii gulaab pii leejiye
Heavenly intoxication will engulf drink the heavenly wine.
aap aur itnii zid "Adam" saahab
harj kyaa hai sharaab pii leejiye
O "Adam"! Why so much persistence?
What is your problem, intoxicate yourself.
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Overall Meaning:
The song "Fasl-E-Gul Hai" by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is an exultation of alcoholism that uses the metaphor of the flowering season to implore the listener to abandon their inhibitions and intoxicate themselves. The song starts with a call to drink and a warning against being too insistent about abstinence. It then goes on to describe how the clouds have burst forth and how the coming of the dark, swaying clouds from the direction of Mecca signifies the arrival of a perfect season for drinking. The song then advises the listener to drink despite the darkness of the night and the futility of abstaining.
The lyrics also suggest that drinking alcohol is a form of charity since it is an offering from the tavern. The song calls out those who drink secretly, calling them hypocrites and encourages the listener to drink without reservation as if the glass in their hand is the mirror of the heart, and the wine is the purest expression of faith. The final lines of the song plead with "Adam" to stop being so insistent on abstinence and to indulge freely in the pleasures of drinking.
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