Moi Eti Jajabor by Bhupen Hazarika

I am a wanderer

I roam through the wilderness, unwilling to have a home

I am a wanderer

From the Luit to the Mississippi and the Volga: I saw the beauty

From Otowa to Austria to Paris: I hugged all the places

I carried the heritage of Ellora to Chicago

I heard Ghalib’s poetry in Dushanbe’s Minar

I spoke of Gorky as I sat upon Mark Twain’s grave

Each time I found that the co-passengers really grew quite close

That’s why I am a wanderer

Many wanderers lack purpose

I do have a vow though

Wherever I see trove of colours,

I wish to share them

Many wanderers lack purpose

I do have a vow though

Wherever I see trove of colours,

I wish to share them

I have seen many queues of skyscrapers

And in their shades so many homeless man and women

I have seen gardens in the front yard of many houses

And the withered petals of flowers falling before time

I get worried at the sight of slavery in many a nation

And many close people becoming strangers in my own nation

That’s why I am a wanderer

I roam through the wilderness, unwilling to have a home

That’s why I am a wanderer

I am a wanderer

I am a wanderer; I roam through the wilderness, unwilling to have a home

The Original Song

Moi eti jajabor
Dhorar dihinge dipange loru
Nibisari nija ghor
Moi eti jajabor

Moi Luitor pora Mississippi hoi
Volgar rup salu
Ottawar pora Austria hoi
Paris xaboti lolu
Moi Ellorar pora puroni rohon
Chicagole koriyalu
Moi Galibor sher dushanber
Minarot xuna palu
Mark Twainor xomadhit bohi
Gorkyr kotha kolu
Bare bare dekhu bator manuhu
Apun hoise bor
Xeiye moi jajabor
Xeiye moi jajabor

Bohu jajabor lokhyo bihin
Mur pise ase pon
Rongor khoni jotei dekhisu
Bhogai diyar mon
Moi dekhisu onek gogonsumbi
Ottalikar xari
Tar sa tei dekhisu kotona
Grihohin noro-nari
Moi dekhisu kisu ghoror xomukh
Bagisare ase bhori
Aru dekhisu moroha phulor papori
Okalote pora xori
Bohu dekhe dekhe grihodakh dekhi
Sintito hou bor
Monor manuh bohutei dekhu
Ghorote hoise por
Xeiye moi jajabor
Xeiye moi jajabor

[Translated in October, 2015]