is hirso hawas ki duniyaa mein
armaan badalte dekhe hai
dhokha hai yaha laalach hai yaha
imaan badalte dekhe hai

daulat ke sunehre jaadu se
ae dil tadapnaa achhaa hai
chaandi ke khanakte sikko par
insaan badalte dekhe hai

qaid maangi thi rihaai to nahi maangi thi
teri zulfon se judaai to nahi maangi thi
qaid maangi thi rihaai to nahin maangi thi
maine kya julm kiya, aap khafaa ho baithe
maine kya julm kiya, aap khafaa ho baithe
pyaar maanga tha khudaayi to nahi maangi thi
qaid maangi thi rihaai to nahi maangi thi

mera haq tha teri, aankho ki chhalkti may par
mera haq tha teri, aankho ki chhalkti may par
cheej apni thi, paraayi to nahi maangi thi
qaid maangi thi rihaai to nahi maangi thi

apne bimaar pe, itana bhi sitam thik nahi
apne bimaar pe, itana bhi sitam thik nahi
teri ulfat me buraai to nahi maangi thi
qaid maangi thi rihaai to nahi maangi thi
teri zulfon se judaai to nahi maangi thi
qaid maangi thi rihaai to nahin maangi thi

In this whirlwind world of breath and desire,
I've seen aspirations shift and tire.
Deceit and greed, a poisoned air,
I've seen integrity disappear.

By the gilded magic of fortune's gleam,
Oh heart, it's better to softly dream.
On coins of silver, a ringing chime,
I've seen the very soul of mankind climb.

I asked for a cage, not freedom's release,
From your silken tresses, I sought no cease.
I asked for a cage, not freedom's release,
What wrong did I do, that you turned away?
What wrong did I do, your heart astray?
I asked for love, not divinity's peace.
I asked for a cage, not freedom's release.

My right it was, on the nectar you hold,
My right it was, in your eyes of old.
It was mine to drink, not a foreign plea,
I asked for a cage, not freedom's release.

On your own sick soul, such cruelty's sting,
On your own sick soul, such a bitter thing.
In your affection, no evil did I seek,
I asked for a cage, not freedom's release.
From your silken tresses, I sought no cease.
I asked for a cage, not freedom's release.