ruke ruke se kadam, ruk ke baar baar chale
ruke ruke se kadam, ruk ke baar baar chale
qarar leke tere dar se, beqarar chale
ruke ruke se kadam, ruk ke baar baar chale
ruke ruke se kadam

subah na aayi, kai baar neend se jaage
subah na aayi, kai baar neend se jaage
thi ek raat ki ye zindagi, guzaar chale
thi ek raat ki ye zindagi, guzaar chale
ruke ruke se kadam

uthaye phirte the ehasan dil ka sine par
uthaye phirte the ehasan dil ka sine par
le tere kadamo pe ye karz bhi utaar chale
le tere kadamo pe ye karz bhi utaar chale
qarar leke tere dar se, beqarar chale
ruke ruke se kadam, ruk ke baar baar chale
ruke ruke se kadam

Hesitant steps, they halt and then restart,
Hesitant steps, they halt and then restart,
Finding solace near your threshold, then depart,
Hesitant steps, they halt and then restart,
Hesitant steps.

Dawn did not break, though sleep we did forsake,
Dawn did not break, though sleep we did forsake,
This life, a single night, we did embrace,
This life, a single night, we did embrace,
Hesitant steps.

We bore the heart's own burdens on our breast,
We bore the heart's own burdens on our breast,
And at your feet, we lay them down to rest,
And at your feet, we lay them down to rest,
Finding solace near your threshold, then depart,
Hesitant steps, they halt and then restart,
Hesitant steps.