bullah revisited

translation in a bit of kafiana style (bullah kee jaana main koon)

Bullah who am I, what do I know?

Neither in mosques an orthodox acolyte
Nor in any blaspheming rite
Nor pure amongst the defiled, recondite
Neither Moses am I, nor Pharoah

Bullah who am I, what do I know?

I am not in any vedic tome
Nor in heady drinks afoam
Nor in tipplers who legless roam
Neither in wakefulness, nor in slumber aglow

Bullah who am I, what do I know?

Neither in conjugal joy, nor in the sad
Neither in purity, nor in defilement clad
Neither of water, nor of dust begad
Neither fire am I, nor windflow

Bullah who am i, what do i know?

I'm neither arab, nor from Lahor
Nor from the Indian town Nagor
Neither Hindu, nor turk from Peshaur
Nor in Nadaon do I stow

Bullah who am i, what do I know?

The essence of religion I haven't got
Neither by Adam, Eve was I begot
Nor my name know or sought
Neither settled, nor on the go

Bullah who am i, what do I know?

First and last, only know I
Knowing every other I deny
To greater wisdom none qualify
Bullah, who's the inner one on show

Bullah who am I, what do I know?

copied without permission
"Masterworkds of Punjaabi Sufi Poetry"
"Bulleh Shah Within Reach"
"Volume 1"
Muzaffar A. Ghaffar
Ferozsons (Private) Limited

http://www.ferozsons.com.pk/

each kafi has detailed commentry and both the books (Bulleh Shah & Shah Hussain) have been purchased by yours truly last month

there maybe a proofing error in the following...I have added in brackets & hope i am right & this was not intention on the past of the translator

The essence of religion I haven't got
Neither by Adam, Eve was I begot
Nor my name know(n) or sought
Neither settled, nor on the go