Bulleh Shah ~ Come, Friend, come to my help

 

Come, Friend, come to my help –
my life is steeped in troubles!
In a dream, I became separated from you;
on waking, I could not find you.
Alone in a jungle, I have been robbed, O Lord,
and thieves and dacoits surround me.
Come, Friend, come to my help –
my life is steeped in troubles!
Mullahs and qazis lead me astray
through a maze of religious rituals.
They are like bird hunters and thugs
who have laid their nets everywhere.
Come, Friend, come to my help –
my life is steeped in troubles!
They preach the so-called ways of piety –
which are chains around my feet.
Love cares not for caste or creed;
it is the opposite of orthodox religion.
Come, Friend, come to my help –
my life is steeped in troubles!
The land of the Beloved lies across the river,
yet waves of avarice have engulfed me.
The Master is holding the boat –
why do you tarry, why this delay?
Come, Friend, come to my help –
my life is steeped in troubles!
O Bullah, you will surely realize the Lord;
give your heart encouragement.
The Beloved is right within you –
whom do you search for outside?
Why are you deluded in broad daylight?
O Bullah, you will surely realize the Lord;
give your heart encouragement.
The Beloved is right within you –
whom do you search for outside?
Why are you deluded in broad daylight?