maai ri mai kaase kahu pir apne jiya ki
maai ri mai kaase kahu pir apne jiya ki
maai ri mai kaase kahu pir apne jiya ki, maai ri

os nayan ki unke meri lagi ko bujhaaye na
tan man bhigo de aake aisi ghata koi chhaaye na
mohe baha le jaaye aisi lahar koi aaye na
os nayan ki unke meri lagi ko bujhaaye na
padi nadiya ke kinaare mai pyaasi, maai ri
maai ri mai kaase kahu pir apne jiya ki, maai ri

pi ki dagar me baithe maila hua ri mora aanchara
mukhda hai phika phika naino me sohe nahi kaajra
koi jo dekhe maiya prit ka vaase kahu maajra
pi ki dagar me baithe maila hua ri mora aanchara
lat me padi kaisi birha ki maati, maai ri
maai ri mai kaase kahu pir apne jiya ki, maai ri

aankho me chalte phirte roz mile piya baavare
baiya ki chhaiya aake milte nahi kabhi saanvare
duhkh ye milan ka lekar kaah kaaru kaha jaau re
aankho me chalte phirte roz mile piya baavare
paakar bhi nahi unko mai paati, maai ri
maai ri mai kaase kahu pir apne jiya ki, maai ri

Mother, to whom shall I speak the ache within my soul?
Mother, to whom shall I speak the ache within my soul?
Mother, to whom shall I speak the ache within my soul, Mother?

Their gaze, a dew, cannot quench the fire within,
No cloud descends to drench my body and my mind,
No wave arrives to carry me away and begin.
Their gaze, a dew, cannot quench the fire within,
I, on the riverbank, am thirsty still, Mother.
Mother, to whom shall I speak the ache within my soul, Mother?

Waiting on love's path, my veil is stained and torn,
My face is pale, in my eyes, kohl is forlorn,
If only someone saw, to whom my tale be sworn.
Waiting on love's path, my veil is stained and torn,
Grief's dust clings to my tresses, Mother.
Mother, to whom shall I speak the ache within my soul, Mother?

In my eyes they walk, they move, my beloved constantly near,
But in the shade of arms, my dark one, never here,
What to do with the sorrow of a love I hold so dear?
In my eyes they walk, they move, my beloved constantly near,
Though I find them, I cannot possess them, Mother.
Mother, to whom shall I speak the ache within my soul, Mother?