Saanvle Lyrics English Translation – Diljit Dosanjh

Ho Saanwle Je Rang Di Aan Main, Tainu Goreyan Rangaan Da Chah
My complexion is dusky, but you desire fair skin.

Dass Koi Lalaari Haaniya
Tell me of a ‘lalaari’ (dyer), my love,

Ve Dass Koi Lalaari Haaniya
Oh, tell me of a ‘lalaari’ (dyer), my love,

Tere Rang Lavaan Chamm Nu Ranga
So I can dye my skin in your color.

Ho Saanwle Je Rang Di Aan Main, Tainu Goreyan Rangaan Da Chah
My complexion is dusky, but you desire fair skin.

Ve Dass Koi Lalaari Haaniya
Oh, tell me of a ‘lalaari’ (dyer), my love,

Ve Dass Koi Lalaari Haaniya
Oh, tell me of a ‘lalaari’ (dyer), my love,

Tere Rang Lavaan Chamm Nu Ranga
So I can dye my skin in your color.

Ho Saanu Eh Saraap Kha Gaya, Dehan Kaaliyan Da Marz Bura
This curse has destroyed me; this affliction of dark skin is truly terrifying.

Naam Tera Ve Kalehneyan, Saade Lekhan Vich Darj Bura
Your name, O ill-fated one, is written in my destiny like a bad omen.

Ho Jaan Teri Ve Pasand Di, Ghutt Bhasmaan Di Gholke Piyaan
Your life is yours to live as you wish; I will swallow a draught mixed with ashes.

Ho Saanwle Je Rang Di Aan Main, Tainu Goreyan Rangaan Da Chah
My complexion is dusky, but you desire fair skin.

Ho Rang Mere Te Ki Rang Laa
What color could you possibly mix into my skin?

Ve Ankhin Kajjla Nahiyo Deehda
When even the kohl in my eyes cannot be seen?

Ho Modde Saade Laddiyan Laashan, Te Ik Supna Nahiyo Jayida
My shoulders are burdened with strings of dead dreams, and not a single one of them is alive anymore.

Oh Mere Hathin Chhoya Paani, Tera Ishq Na Khasmaan Peenda
The water touched by my hands refuses to drink your greedy love.

Ho Rabb Vi Dahda Te Rang Vi Goorha, Tainu Dosh Ginavaan Kihda
God’s temper is harsh, and the color is dark—so whom should I blame for it?

Ho Ragde Suahan Naal Mainu Kyun Nanaan Ve
Why does my sister-in-law rub me with ‘suhan’ (cleansing ash)?

Meriyan Na Mulle Kolon Nazran Luhaan Ve
I won’t have a ‘mulla’ (cleric) remove the evil eye from me.

Hirna Ve Teri Bani Allarh Rakaan Ve
Oh ‘hirna’ (my dear), your young girl has grown up,

Chaachiyan Te Taaiyan Mainu Vadd Vadd Khaan Ve
But my aunts keep taunting me again and again, making my life miserable.

Maari Ch Mitti Ve Hath Te, Mainu Sithniyan Dendi Meri Maa
I have thrown dust upon myself with my own hands, and even my mother mocks me by singing “sithaniyan” (songs of ridicule).

Ho Saanwle Je Rang Di Aan Main, Tainu Goreyan Rangaan Da Chah
My complexion is dusky, but you desire fair skin.

Ve Dass Koi Lalaari Haaniya
Oh, tell me of a ‘lalaari’ (dyer), my love,

Ve Dass Koi Lalaari Haaniya
Oh, tell me of a ‘lalaari’ (dyer), my love,

Tere Rang Lavaan Chamm Nu Ranga
So I can dye my skin in your color.

Ishq Na Fikka Raat Na Fikki, Naa Hi Fikki Choori Hundi
Love hasn’t faded, nor has the night, and even the “churi” (sweet, crumbled flatbread) hasn’t lost its taste.

Tera Rang Udhaara Milda, Saari Guniya Goorhi Hundi
Your complexion is something you received as a borrowed gift, while the whole world is colored in deeper shades.