Jadon Tak Hai- Translation

I have recently been introduced to Punjabi songs by my friends in Himachal, a first for me despite having lived in Delhi for a long time. This song penned by S.M. Sadiq and sung by Nachhattar Gill captured my heart the very first time I heard it last year. I have heard it countless times since then and it never fails to move me. Part of the reason is that it is one of those unusual Punjabi songs where a man expresses his feelings like this- usually such emotions are reserved for women. Other reasons are Gill's soulful voice and the great music. I don't care much for the video, but it is way better than other Punjabi music videos that spoil the beauty of the song.

Here are the original lyrics, followed by my translation. It was a tough job, because English just doesn't have the words for some of the heart wrenching phrases used in this song, such as hunjhuan di mehfil, russadi rawin, manaunda rawanga, naaz uthaunda, udeekan di sooli. Enjoy!

Jadon tak eh akhiyaan ch paani oh sajjna, 

Main hanjhuan di mehfil sajaunda rawanga!
Main samjhanga ehnu naseeban da likheya,
Tuun russadi rawin te main manaunda rawanga!

Wafawan de badle tunn de mainu dukhde, 

Main aashiq haan eho taqdeer meri.
Mainu es duniya di parwah ni koi,
Main naaz tere uthaunda rawanga!

Udeekan di sooli tuun tangeya eh mainu, 

Main si v nai karni aazma lai sajjna!
Tuun aawein ya na aawein marzi eh teri,
Main raawan ch akhiyan ch vichaunda rawanga!

Main ohna thaawan nu  bhull te nai sakda, 

Sadiq asin jithe milde saan dowein!
Ohna rukhan di chhaan thalle baith ke,
Main mohabbat di barsi manaunda rawanga!

Jadon tak eh akhiyaan ch paani
Main hanjhuan di mehfil sajaunda rawanga!
Main samjhanga ehnu naseeban da likheya,
Tuun russadi rawin te main manaunda rawanga! 

As long as my eyes are able to shed tears darling

I will not stop crying for you, believe me,

I accept it as my fate to keep trying to coax you endlessly

Even as you stay upset with me. 

In return of my love, you have given me nothing but pain

But isn't that the rightful fate of a lover?

I don't care for what this world thinks of me

I will keep showering my love on you forever.  

You have me hanging on the cliff of endless waiting

But I won't complain, test me all you want,

These untiring eyes will continue to search for you

Whether you choose to come to me or not.

Even in my dreams I can't forget

Those places where we as lovers used to meet,

I will keep lamenting the loss of my love

Sitting under the shade of those very trees.

As long as my eyes are able to shed tears darling

I will not stop crying for you, believe me,

I accept it as my fate to keep trying to coax you endlessly

Even as you stay upset with me.

Listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpgNdl4B0TU