I was pointed to this song first by my friend Shahid Charania. I do not know the name of the original poet who composed this but my favorite rendition of this is by Ataullah Khan. The tune is the same as a Hindi movie song of the past (“Tumhi mere mandir Tumhi meri pooja”). I do not know which came first.

The poem starts in the following way:

“Idhar zindagi ka janaza uthega

Udhar zindagi unki dulhan banegi

Qayamat se pehle qayamat hai yaaro

Mere samne mere duniya lutegi

Jawani pe meri sitam dhaaney walon
Zara soch lo kya kahega zamana

Idhar mere armaan kafan pehen lenge
Udhar unke haathon pe mehndi lagegi”

Roughly translated… all improvements are very welcome..

“Here (my) life’s funeral will be held
And there (her) life will be a bride
My day of judgment has come before my day of judgment
In front of mine own eyes, my life will be plundered.

Oh! you who brought suffering to my youth
Just think about what the world is going to say
Here all my wishes will covered by a shroud
There her hands will be decorated with henna”