Adab Punjabi, Pt. 2 & 3

Keep a sharp eye, sister-in-law, on those partridges sitting on the boats

[Maan: Self-reference to the artist Babbu Maan] is in the mood to stir up a storm of dust

Keep a sharp eye, sister-in-law, on those partridges sitting on the boats

[Maan: Self-reference to the artist Babbu Maan] is in the mood to stir up a storm of dust

Oye, an experienced man can spot a thief in the blink of an eye

With a single slap, a defiant Punjabi can snatch away a weapon

With a single slap, a defiant Punjabi can snatch away a weapon

I had my beloved's ring encased in glass

In the name of the one who left, I settled a village called Husanpura

I had my beloved's ring encased in glass

In the name of the one who left, I settled a village called Husanpura

Oye, every night we host a [Akhada: a traditional folk performance circle] at the tube-well

In your name, O departed one, I cry out a soulful plea

In your name, O departed one, I cry out a soulful plea

I provide a permanent cure, [Melne: a celebratory woman at a wedding], for fleeting feelings in a moment

Khant Maanpur has opened a clinic for emotional healing

I provide a permanent cure, [Melne: a celebratory woman at a wedding], for fleeting feelings in a moment

Khant Maanpur has opened a clinic for emotional healing

By looking deep into your eyes, I can tell what troubles you

[Ni: a gender-specific vocative used to address a woman directly], your [Beiman: Dishonest/Naughty one, often used for Maan himself] is a Greek physician of hearts

Yes, your naughty physician is a Greek master of healing

Here people seek remedies from priests and astrological charts

But where can one find a remedy for the tremors of an earthquake?

Here people seek remedies from priests and astrological charts

But where can one find a remedy for the tremors of an earthquake?

Oye, it is in poverty that one truly feels the sense of slavery

The wrath of a tsunami can shift the very earth beneath you

The wrath of a tsunami can shift the very earth beneath you

The ripples of a small pond can never erode the banks

In the "Dark Era," people used to carry [P-Bore: Prohibited bore, referring to illegal high-caliber firearms]

The ripples of a small pond can never erode the banks

In the "Dark Era," people used to carry [P-Bore: Prohibited bore, referring to illegal high-caliber firearms]

From the uneducated to the scholars, everyone seems shaken up

Without any reason, many people are getting peeled like potatoes

Without any reason, many people are getting peeled like potatoes

Centuries have passed, yet the crops never get their true value

The difference between lineages is revealed in a single instant

Centuries have passed, yet the crops never get their true value

The difference between lineages is revealed in a single instant

Unfulfilled desires remain just that—unfinished dreams, my friends

I have seen parents weeping in secret for the sons they raised with such hopes

I have seen parents weeping in secret for the sons they raised with such hopes

Caste divisions will never end, nor will the reign of the sword

Don't be under any illusion, friend, everyone will eventually be humbled

Caste divisions will never end, nor will the reign of the sword

Don't be under any illusion, friend, everyone will eventually be humbled

There is no wealth greater than love and affection

This is what Bulleh Shah sang while dancing in ecstasy

This is what Bulleh Shah sang while dancing in ecstasy

Keep your character pure so the stains of controversy don't touch you

Don't let your dignity be looted at the camps of fake saints

Keep your character pure so the stains of controversy don't touch you

Don't let your dignity be looted at the camps of fake saints

The Almighty bestows much upon those who remain humble

Only a petty ghost claims authority over the cremation grounds

Only a petty ghost claims authority over the cremation grounds

Tell the children that thread is made from [Logarh: raw unrefined cotton]

In the gathering of [Jeona Maurh: legendary Punjabi outlaw], what business does a [Dogar: the traitor who betrayed him] have?

Tell the children that thread is made from [Logarh: raw unrefined cotton]

In the gathering of [Jeona Maurh: legendary Punjabi outlaw], what business does a [Dogar: the traitor who betrayed him] have?

How can one take flight without any wings?

[Bhai Bachittar Singh: legendary Sikh warrior] drove the [Nagni: a specialized spear] into the elephant’s forehead

Bhai Bachittar Singh drove the spear into the elephant’s forehead

The illiterate sit and forge the policies of this nation

By injecting the vaccine of religion, they exploit people's weaknesses

The illiterate sit and forge the policies of this nation

By injecting the vaccine of religion, they exploit people's weaknesses

On the borders, the blood of our young soldiers is spilled

At [Singhu and Tikri: main protest sites of the 2020-21 Farmers' Protest], the blood of farmers was shed

At Singhu and Tikri, the blood of our brothers, the farmers, was shed

Sitting on the [Kikar: Acacia tree], the squirrel chatters away

The amount of hatred they spread, why doesn't it just die out?

Sitting on the Kikar tree, the squirrel chatters away

The amount of hatred they spread, why doesn't it just die out?

When the [Gandasa: long-handled poleaxe] comes down and strikes the neck

The goat's arrogant bleating ends in a single stroke

The goat's arrogant bleating ends in a single stroke

How much longer will we take beatings from these looters?

We must strip the masks off their faces

How much longer will we take beatings from these looters?

We must strip the masks off their faces

If every person wishes to breathe the air of peace

Then we must grab power and politics by the throat

Then we must grab power and politics by the throat

We are sitting peacefully, let us remain so

Let the farmers and laborers have their rights with a smile

We are sitting peacefully, let us remain so

Let the farmers and laborers have their rights with a smile

Don't let the cat out of the bag; keep it tucked away

If the [Jatt: a member of the land-owning agricultural community known for pride] loses his temper, Delhi will be torn apart piece by piece

If the Jatt loses his temper, Delhi will be torn apart piece by piece

Let us sacrifice our body, soul, and wealth for the farmer

A new kind of love has been established for the entire world to see

Let us sacrifice our body, soul, and wealth for the farmer

A new kind of love has been established for the entire world to see

The whole world has been brought to its knees by the capitalists

But look, the Jatts have turned the lobby of exploiters upside down

But look, the Jatts have turned the lobby of exploiters upside down

Politicians are never anyone's true friends

Mute vocal cords can never become great performers

Politicians are never anyone's true friends

Mute vocal cords can never become great performers

Before the elections, they touch your hands and feet in greeting

Once in the car with the red beacon, they rain down batons on you

Once in the car with the red beacon, they rain down batons on you

It was better when our "friend" used to just make tea

During the emergency, he called himself a [Sardar: an honorary title for a Sikh man] by tying a turban

It was better when our "friend" used to just make tea

During the emergency, he called himself a Sardar by tying a turban

If you hadn't gained power, you'd be selling snacks

You too would be sitting at Singhu-Tikri shouting slogans

You too would be sitting at Singhu-Tikri shouting slogans

I'd sacrifice my songs and my career for the sake of farming

We learned to fight for our rights from our ancestors

I'd sacrifice my songs and my career for the sake of farming

We learned to fight for our rights from our ancestors

Don't talk to me, you hypocrite, about the crumbs offered by the government

It takes a lifetime of struggle to understand the value of a brother's bread

It takes a lifetime of struggle to understand the value of a brother's bread

I roam every street and tear the pride of the street-dogs to shreds

After planting my flag on Everest, I glare back at the cowards

I roam every street and tear the pride of the street-dogs to shreds

After planting my flag on Everest, I glare back at the cowards

They've earned their living just by chanting [yours truly's] name

I heard they now sit in the dark holding onto toys

I heard they now sit in the dark holding onto toys

[Yours truly] has spent many years in the state of a wandering mystic

With a single kick, I have sent the clouds rising from the ocean

[Yours truly] has spent many years in the state of a wandering mystic

With a single kick, I have sent the clouds rising from the ocean

Oye, when Maan is pushed to his limit, he performs a miracle

When a [Jatt: land-owning farmer] or a [Jaat: the community name used in Haryana/UP] stands firm, he can split the opposition in half

When a Jatt or a Jaat stands firm, he can split the opposition in half

Everyone in the neighborhood has ended up in a scuffle

The media has been hacked, brothers; it's only good for lies now

Everyone in the neighborhood has ended up in a scuffle

The media has been hacked, brothers; it's only good for lies now

The descendant of the lions of Panjshir will cause a blast

With his work alone, your Maan strikes a thunderous blow

With his work alone, your Maan strikes a thunderous blow