song translations

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• Ah Thuli

• Chari amilo

• himal

• kanchi matyang tyang

• mero sarangi

• pokhara ko phewa taal

• sani sani

Ah Thuli

(Hey there, Older Daughter)

Shyamnepalisarangi22@gmail.com

Source:  The Terence R. Bech collection, Archives of Traditional Music, Indiana University. 

Translation: Shyam Nepali, Amy Beshara

Ah, Thuli

Hey there, Older Daughter

Nak ke ma fuli

 With the beautiful ring in your nose

Diesel motor

 Let’s ride together in the diesel car

Cha dera Trisuli

 To go to Trisuli

(2x)

(Music interlude)

Ah, Thuli

 Hey there, Older Daughter

Nak ke ma fuli

 With the beautiful ring in her nose

Helicopter

 Let’s ride together in the helicopter

Cha dera Trisuli

 To go to Trisuli

(2x)

(Music interlude)

Ah, Thuli

 Hey there, Older Daughter

Nak ke ma fuli

 With the beautiful ring in your nose

Diesel motor

 Let’s ride together in the diesel car

Cha dera Trisuli

 To go to Trisuli

(2x)

(Music interlude)

Ah, Thuli

 Hey there, Older Daughter

Nak ke ma fuli

 With the beautiful ring in her nose

Pare rina Whatever money you need

Trisuli mai pani

 I’ll give it to you

(2x)

(Music interlude)

Ah, Thuli

 Hey there, Older Daughter

Nak ke ma fuli

 With the beautiful ring in her nose

Kina sari

 If you want another new sari

Kindula mai pani

 I’ll buy it for you

(2x)

(Music interlude)

Hey Sanu

 Hey there, sweetheart

Hatsamai tanu

 Let me take your hand

Timi lai chodi

 Without you in my life

Aaba ma khaha janu

 Wherever could I go?

(2x)

(Music interlude)

Ah, Thuli

 Hey there, Older Daughter

Nak ke ma fuli

 With the beautiful ring in your nose

Diesel motor

 Let’s ride together in the diesel car

Cha dera Trisuli

 To go to Trisuli

(Music interlude)

Chari Amilo

(Indian Sorrel)

Source: Composed by Shyam Nepali, 2015

translation: Shyam Nepali, Amy Beshara

Chari amilo, chari amilo

 Oh three leaf clover, Oh three leaf clover

Maya ma maan bhayo

 Why in love, people get pain?

Kina dhamilo

 The interference of others clouds our love like dirt clouds the water

Maya ma maan bhayo

 Why in love do people get pain? 

Kina dhamilo

 The interference of others clouds our love like dirt clouds the clear water

(2x)

(Musical interlude)

Bhanko bagha le khanu kaha cha

Don’t drown yourself in worry

Maan ko bagha le khayo

 Over a tiger that isn’t there

Maan ko bagha le khayo

 Over a tiger that isn’t there

Maan ko bagha le khayo

 Over a tiger that isn’t there

 (2x)

Mahi le maya garda kheri

 The more I try to love you

Dhari dhukha payo

 The more I drown

Dhari dhukha payo

The more I drown

Dhari dhukha payo

 The more I drown

Chari amilo, chari amilo

 Hey there, Older Daughter

Maya ma maan bhayo

 With the beautiful ring in your nose

Kina dhamilo

 Let’s ride together in the diesel car

Maya ma maan bhayo

 With the beautiful ring in your nose

Kina dhamilo

 Let’s ride together in the diesel car

 (Music interlude)

Khola tari lauri brisi

 Don’t forget the walking stick that helped you cross the river

Janu khahile hunna

 When you reach a further destination

Janu khahile hunna

 When you reach a further destination

Janu khahile hunna

 When you reach a further destination

(2x)

Shacha maya launu vaye

 If you have real love,

Jhutho bollnu hunna

 You don’t have to lie

Jhutho bollnu hunna

 You don’t have to lie

Jhutho bollnu hunna

 You don’t have to lie

Khola tari lauri brisi

 Let’s ride together in the diesel car

Janu khahile hunna

 Hey there, Older Daughter

Janu khahile hunna

 Hey there, Older Daughter

Janu khahile hunna  Hey there, Older Daughter

Shacha maya launu vaye

 With the beautiful ring in your nose

Jhutho bollnu hunna

 Let’s ride together in the diesel car

Jhutho bollnu hunna

 Let’s ride together in the diesel car

Jhutho bollnu hunna

 Let’s ride together in the diesel car

Chari amilo, chari amilo

 Hey there, Older Daughter

Maya ma maan bhayo

 With the beautiful ring in your nose

Kina dhamilo

 Let’s ride together in the diesel car

Maya ma maan bhayo

 With the beautiful ring in your nose

Kina dhamilo

 Let’s ride together in the diesel car

himal

(the Himalayan Mountains)

source: lyrics & music composed by Shyam Nepali, 2019

translation: Sailendra Singh Mac

Yehi himal yehi pahad yehi terai

Here are the mountains, here are the hills and here are the plain fields

Yehi ago yehi pani yehi talau

Here is fire here is water and here is pond

Mero himal bhitra

Inside this huge mountain

Yehi himal yehi pahad yehi terai

Here are the mountains, here are the hills and here are the plain fields

Yehi akash yehi dharti yehi badal

Here is the sky, here is the earth and here are the coulds

Yehi ago yehi pani yehi talau

Here is fire here is water and here is pond

Yehi lobh yehi aatma yaha chintan

Here is the greed here is the soul and here are the thoughts

Yaha lobh yaha aatma yaha chintan

Here is greed here is the soul and here are the thoughts

Yaha ama yaha baba 

Here stays mother and father 

yaha ama yaha baba

Here stays mother and father 

Yaha santan

And here stays the children

Yaha foola yaha kada yaha foola yaha kada

Here lie the flowers and so do thrones

Yaha sara yaha sara

Here lies everything 

Yaha lobh yaha aatma yaha chintan yaha ama

Here is greed here is the soul and here are the thoughts

yaha ama

And here is the mother

Yaha baba yaha santaan 

Here is the father and the children

Yaha foola yaha kada

Here lie the flowers and so do thrones

Yaha sara sansar

Entire world lies here

Yaha himal yaha pahad yaha terai yaha aakash

Here are the mountains, here are the hills and here are the plain fields

Yaha dharti oh ho ho

Here is the earth 

Yaha dharti yaha akash

Here is the earth and the sky

Yaha badal yaha ago 

Here are the clouds and the fire

Yaha pani yaha talau

Here is the water and the pond

Yaha lobh yaha aatma

Here is the greed and the soul

kanchi matyang tyang

(The sweet playful lady)

source: Music by Magar Kancha Nepali, Lyrics by L.P Joshi, 1950s

translation: Sailendra Singh Mac

Hamro ta nani khyal garne baani kanchi matyang tyang

My dear I have a habit of joking

Hamro ta nani khyal garne baani kanchi matyang tyang

My dear I have this habit of joking around

Jhan maya gahiro cha kanchi matyang matyang

But my dear, this love is deep and honest 

Jhan maya gahiro cha kanchi matyang matyang

But my dear, this love is deep and honest

Naaune maya laihale pachi kanchi matyang matyang

Sweetheart, I can't help myself from falling in love with you.

Nalaune maya laihale pachi kanchi matyang matyang

Sweetheart, I can't help myself from falling in love with you.

Jhan maya gahiro cha kanchi matyang matyang

But my dear, this love is deep and true

Jhan gahiro cha kanchi matyang matyang

But my dear, this love is deep and true

Tyo pari patti chipleti dhungo kanchi matyang matyang

There is a slippery rock on the other side 

Tyo pari patti chipleti dhungo kanchi matyang matyang

There is a slippery rock on the other side 

Jhan maya gahiro cha kanchi matyang matyang

But my dear, this love is deep and true

Jhan maya gahiro cha kanchi matyang tyang

But my dear, this love is deep and true

Hamro ta nani khyal garne baani kanchi matyang tyang

My dear I have a habit of joking

Hamro ta nani khyal garne baani kanchi matyang tyang

My dear I have this habit of joking around

Jhan maya gahiro cha kanchi matyang tyang

But my dear, this love is deep and honest 

Jhan maya gahiro cha kanchi matyang matyang

But my dear, this love is deep and honest

Naaune maya laihale pachi kanchi matyang matyang

Sweetheart, I can't help myself from falling in love with you.

Nalaune maya laihale pachi kanchi matyang matyang

Sweetheart, I can't help myself from falling in love with you.

Jhan maya gahiro cha kanchi matyang tyang

But my dear, this love is deep and true

Jhan gahiro cha kanchi matyang matyang

But my dear, this love is deep and true

Jhan maya gahiro cha kanchi matyang matyang

But my dear, this love is deep and true

Jhan gahiro cha kanchi matyang matyang

But my dear, this love is deep and true

Mero Sarangi

(My Beloved Sarangi)

Source: music & lyrics by Shyam Nepali, 2015

Translation: Roachak Joshi, Amy Beshara

Ho mero katha

Ho mero katha

(Yes, This is my story)

Kasari sunau ma

(How do I make you understand)

Kasari bhanu ma 

(How do I tell you)

Kasari sunau ma

(How do I make you understand)

Kasari bhanu ma 

(How do I tell you)

Ho mero sarangi ko 

Katha sunau chu

(I will tell you the story of my sarangi)

Ho mero sarangi ko 

Katha sunau chu

(I will tell you the story of my sarangi)

Mero gaun ko katha ho 

Mero gaun ko katha ho 

(This is the story of my village)

Sunai hidchu ma

(I will travel everywhere and tell this story to my listener) 

Bhani hidchu ma

(I will tell my story even if no one is listening) 

Sunai hidchu ma

(I will travel everywhere and tell this story to my listener) 

Bhani hidchu ma

(I will tell my story even if no one is listening) 

Sarangi ko katha

Sarangi ko katha

(The story of my sarangi) 

Kasari bhanu ma

Kasari bhanu ma

(How do I tell you)

Kasari sunau ma

Kasari sunau ma

(How do I make you listen) 

Yo mero sarangi ko katha sunau chu

(I will tell you the story of my sarangi)

Kohi hera yaha

(come look over here)

Ladeka chan aafno karma ko kurale gari hera

(some fall due to their own actions)

Kohi yaha chan dukhi gari aafno karma

(Others are not content with their place in life)

kasari bhanu ma

(Oh how do I tell you?)

Kasari sunau ma

(How do I make you listen?)

Kasari sunau ma

Kasari bhanu ma

Yo mero sarangi ko

Katha sunau chu

Kaile kahi Laure* dai ko,

Katha banau chu

(Sometimes my sarangi sings of the great battles fought by the Gorkha soldiers)

Kaile kahi bidhuwa ko 

ramro geet banau chu

(But my sarangi does not forget to sing of the battles of the widows left behind)

Kaile budi aama ko 

(It sings of their mothers’ struggles)

Kaile saila dai ko

(It sings of their brothers and sisters)

Katha banau chu

(I’ll make the story of everyone)

Katha sunau chu

(I’ll sing everyone’s stories)

(*Laure =  Nepalese Recruits as Gurkha into the British army.)

Pokhara ko Phewa Taal

(Phewa Lake in Pokhara)

Source: Music & Lyrics by Shyam Nepali, 2006

Translation: Shyam Nepali, Amy Beshara

Pokhara ko Phewa taal ma

 On the water of Phewa lake

Machhapuchure chaya

 You can see the shadow of Machhapuchre mountain

Mero maya lagcha vani

 If you love me

Aauna basha dhaya

 Sit beside me

(2x)

Himala ko chiso pani

 The Himalayan cold water 

Khai dhuin khai dhuin lagcha

 I drink and drink it

Yo sanu ko haata samai

 You’re such a beautiful small sweetheart

Laijau laijau lagchha

 I just want to take you with me

Aauna basha dhaya

 And sit beside you

Pokhara ko Phewa taal ma

 On the water of Phewa lake

Machhapuchure chaya

 You can see the shadow of Machhapuchre mountain

Mero maya lagcha vani

If you love me

Aunu basha dhaya

 Why in love do people get pain? 

Yeshau pali mangshirima

I’d like to marry you in this coming springtime

Laijau laijau lagcha

 I want to take you with me

Dhago pote tira lile 

& You’ll dress your hair with the red ribbons

Sajau sajau lagchha

 I want to see you with the ribbons in your hair

Machhapuchure chaya

 You can see the shadow of Machhapuchre mountain

Mero maya lagcha vani

If you love me

Sani sani

(Hey Little Dear)

source: Magar Kanchi Nepali, 1960s

translation: Shyam Nepali, Amy Beshara

Sani sani ye jhil ke nani

Oh gentle lady, How beautifully you’ve combed your hair

Kati ramro kapalla kore ki

The man wearing glasses combs his hair too

Sani sani ye jhil ke nani

Oh gentle lady, How beautifully you’ve combed your hair

Kati ramro kapalla kore ki

The man wearing glasses combs his hair too

Chaas May daju jhilke Milke

Your beautiful long hair

Julfi matra korne

Stole my heart

Chaas may daju jhilke milke

Your beautiful long hair

Julfi matra korne

Stole my heart

Dhari jhinnga Dannta dekhai 

Your beard and your smile 

maan Mero chorne

Stole my heart too

Sani sani ye jhil ke Nani 

Oh gentle lady, How beautifully you’ve combed your hair

Kati ramro kapalla kore ki

The man wearing glasses combs his hair too

Sani sani ye jhil ke nani

Oh gentle lady, How beautifully you’ve combed your hair

Kati ramro kapalla kore ki

The man wearing glasses combs his hair too

Jannama dine vagawana  

The mother gives birth

hurkai dine Aama

Like a goddess

kaasle timilai 

Who gave you 

paihrai dioyeti ramro jama

this beautiful skirt you wear?

Na jhiskau na he pa Arulai 

Don’t flirt with younger men

hai shiva Arkaki chori Lai

They’re your daughter’s age

Sani sani ye jhil ke nani

Oh gentle lady, How beautifully you’ve combed your hair

Kati ramro kapalla kore ki

The man wearing glasses combs his hair too

Ghumdai Aayee phirdai Aayee 

I’ve traveled the world

Kathmandu sahara 

And I reached Kathmandu

Maali pani ghumi ghumi 

Where I saw you dancing with all your heart

Naachnu cha Rahara

I wish I could dance like you

Na jhiskau na he pa Arulai

Don’t tease me

hai shiva Arkaki chori Lai 

Don’t understimate me

Sani sani ye jhil ke nani

Oh gentle lady, How beautifully you’ve combed your hair

Kati ramro kapalla kore ki

The man wearing glasses combs his hair to