Saqia Aur Pila - Sabri Brothers
Lyrical Analysis - By Azeem
Saqia aur pila is the title of this qawalli sung by the Sabri Brothers. This page is my very basic attempt to analyze the lyrics and provide a translation of this brilliant qawalli, as finding translations or interpretation of qawallis can be difficult. Now I don't claim to be any sort of authority on this subject, so if you believe that I may have misinterpreted something or made a mistake then please inform me.
The title translates roughly into "Cupbearer (or bartender), Serve me more". The song is based on the common Sufi motif of wine and the drunkard; in which wine roughly symbolizes Divine Light (I will try to explain this in more detail later). It's starts off as a dialogue between the cupbearer and the drunkard, but then moves onto another motif that for centuries has inspired a great deal of poetry and literature throughout the Muslim world. The Battle of Karbala and Imam Hussein.
Because my Urdu is not great, there are some parts of the Urdu that I have highlighted like this followed by "???". This is where I don't quite understand what has been said or in what context it has been used. This is where I hope that if you do understand the parts I don't, you can e-mail me so that I can update this translation. All help is appreciated.
Also I have provided a translation of some Urdu words by underlining themLike this for non-Urdu speakers or basic Urdu speakers that may be interested.
The translation is based on the video below found on YouTube. So press play and enjoy.
You can also download the full translation of the original Qawalli version - it's much longer and can be downloaded by clicking here
English "Translation"
This round, keep it going this round till goes keep-on
???
(I) sacrifice on you, the bartender of world
(I) sacrifice on you, the bartender of world
This is drink/liqour of love, keep on serving
Fill up 2 cups and serve them to me
Bartender - rose faced server, one in your name
And one in Allah's name
Wipe clean completely desires of this unsucessful heart [heart whose desires were not fulfilled]
Give, give, give me some pain in the form of comfort
Serve even one sip to drink, but put in it some strong desire
Give one drop, but pour a river into that drop
Oh Saqi you be blessed, your bar be blessed
Serve me such a wine thats' intoxication will last a lifetime
Urdu Lyrics
Ye Dhour...Ye Dhour jub-tak chaleh, chalaaeh-gha
Mast be-khud mujhe banaye ay gha
Tere Kurbaansacrifce saqiBartender/Cupbearer-e-alum
Tere Kurbaan saqi-e-alum
Yay mai ishq hai pila eh gah
Doh piyaleeTwo cups bhurfill kay deh
Saqi mein gulfaamrose faced ke, eik apnee naam ke
Aur eik Allah naam ke
Mate-dayErase, wipe claen pooree tamunahDesire, Wish, Yearning iss dil-e-nakaam ke
Day de day de durd do mein sooratAppearance, Likeness, Manner koi araamEase, Comfort, Rest, Relief, Quiet ke
Eik ghoont he - pilwa magar - josh-e-tamanna daal kaar
Eik qatra dai, magar qatray may darya daal kar
Ey Saqi tere kher, tere mai-khadeTavern, Bar ke kher
Eisi pila ke jish ka nashaaDrunken/drugged state, High, Oomur-bhur rahay
So we start this qawalli from the point of view of the drunkard asking the bartender to serve him wine. Wine (sheraab) in this context is not to be confused with actual alcohol (which ironically is forbidden in Islam). Rather wine here is a metaphor for divine truth with is used to strengthen faith (iman) and love in God.
The drunkard is asking for more wine so that he may become so "intoxicated" that his love for God will increase. In Sufism, the belief is that they aspire to love God so much, that they attain a level of "intoxication" and end up in a state similar to the drunken state an actual drunkard is in when intoxicated with alcohol. It should be noted that is a very crude explanation to how wine relates to Sufism
**Chorus**
Fill me up (with wine)
Fill me up, I still have not had a goblet (of wine) yet
Bartender serve me more, serve me more, serve me more (x2)
Fill me up, I still have not had a goblet (of wine) yet (x2)
Bartender serve me more, serve me more, serve me more (x2)
serve me more, serve me more. Come serve me more
bring me more, serve me more, serve me more
bring me more, serve me more, serve me more
serve me more, serve me more, serve me more,
bring me me more, serve me more, serve me more
serve me more, serve me more, serve me more
By yourself put it to my mouth, your bar be blessed
serve me more, serve me more, serve me more
serve me more, bring me more, bring me more
Bring me more, look towards me bartender
Look towards me bartender - keep an eye on my taste.
Don't steal your eyes away from me bartender
Dont give such indifferent behaviour
Give it to me to drink today! - Don't make excuses for tomorrow bartender
Incase the wine in the goblet of life spills by tomorrow (before I die)
serve me more, serve me more, serve me more
Bartender serve me more, serve me more, serve me more.
**Chorus**
Muj ko bhur poorh
Muj ko bhur poorh, abi tak na koi jaamGoblet millah
Saqia aur pila, aur pila, aur pila. (x2)
Muj ko bhur poorh abi tak na koi jaam millah (x2)
Saqia aur pila, aur pila, aur pila.(x2)
Aur pila, aur pila. Lah pilah, Aur pila
Lah pilah, Aur pila, aur pila, aur pila
Lah pilah, Aur pila, aur pila, aur pila.
Aur pila, aur pila, aur pila,
Lah pilah, Aur pila, ahh pila. aur pilah
Aur pila, aur pilah, Aur pila
Khud say moun pay laage deh tere Mei-khanneTavern, Bar key kher
Aur pila, Aur pila, Aur pila, Aur pila. Aur pila,
Aur pila Aur. Lah aur pila. Lah aur pila
Lah aur pila meri samath ko dehk saqi.
Meri samath ko dehk, saqi meri zouqTaste pur nazar rukh
nah choorah nee gah ha saqi
na bur-ruth yay Bay niyaazinot being in any need
Muje aaj he pilah de - Nah tou taal kaal pe saqi
Ke ch-hulukspill na jayye kaal taak mera jaam-e-zindaganiLife
Aur pila, Aur pila, Aur pila
Saqia Aur pila, Aur pila, Aur pila.
The chorus here just asserts the point that the drunkard wants served more wine.
In the qawalli genre, it is common for a chorus or a particular line of the qawwal to be repeated again and again, firstly to emphasise the importance of it and secondly if you watch the video it's almost as if Ghulam Farid Sabri (long haired man) who is singing "Saqia aur pila" is drifting off in an intoxicated state by chanting this chorus repeatedly.
The bartender spoke - "tell me madman - which wine shall you drink intoxcated-one?
So please listen
The wine that Mansoor drank when he crucified himself?
Will you drink that? He (the drunkard) replied "No"
The one that Moses drank when he displayed his greatness atop Mount Sinai?
This one? He replied "No"
The one that Tabriz drank when he flayed himself?
The one that Jesus drank when he awoke the dead?
This one? - He replied "Not this either"
The one that Job drank when he plundered the riches of patience? (Refering to his long term illness)
The one that Sarmad drank when he beheaded himself?
Will you drink this? He replied "Not this either"
Then which one? - So he says...
The wine that was consumed at Karbala! (x3)
The wine that was given to the Son of Hadier (Hussein)(x2)
The wine that Zahra's precious (Hussein) drank (x2)
After which he gave up his life for the sake of the Master (x2)
Wounds on his sides, the blood was flowing (x2)
The shadow of the Creator on his head (Metaphor: God is protecting/watching over him)(x2)
For three days Hussein was without water (x2)
Despite being the Prophet's grandson (x2)
Why ask for water from the enemies (x2)
Had drank the Luminous Wine (x2)
After drinking one cup of "La ilaha" (x2)
After drinking one cup of "La ilaha" (x2)
In the passion of Love he beheaded himself (x6)
Here is where the dialogue between the bartender (saqi) and the drunkard gets interesting. The Bartender asks the drunkard which metaphorical wine should he serve him. He starts by goes through a list of historical figures and events surrounding them and then asks if he wants to drink the "wine" that they drank.
Mansoor,
Musa,
Tabriz,
Easa,
Ayub and
Sarmad - If you are familiar with these people you will know they made sacrifices and some gave their life for their faith because of their love for God. Because the drunkard wants to attain a similar level of love for God that these men did, the bartender offers him the "wine they drank".
The drunkard rejects all these "wines" and so when the bartender asks
"then which wine?" - he replies
"The wine that was consumed at Karbala!". He requests the "wine of Karbala" as the historical events surrounding Karbala are considered to be the greatest sacrifice in Islam.
For a proper understanding of this and the rest of the qawall you should have a basic understanding of the
battle of Karbala - here is a shortened version: Basically what happened was the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed (phuh) - Hussein - was in a position where the future of Islam was at a crossroads, the leadership of the empire was in dispute, on one side was
Yazid ibn Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan who was the corrupt ruler of the majority faction and Hussein who the pious leader of the other much smaller faction consisting of notable members of Muhammad's (pbuh) close relatives, around 72 men and women.
Yazid wanted Hussein to pledge allegiance to him but in doing so Hussein knew that the figurehead (or Khalif) of Islam would be the corrupt and evil Yazid who would no doubt change the face of Islam. Hussian could not allow this to happen so in order to keep the faith intact had to stand against him. This dispute culminated in the siege of Karbala where Hussein and his 72 followers were martyred against the army of Yazid and his general,
Shimr_Ibn_Thil-Jawshan (who was the man who beheaded Hussein). This is the great sacrifice that I spoke of earlier, Hussein was put under such hardship all for his love for God and it is this "wine" the drunkard is referring to. Now back to the qawalli:
Some great imagery is used for the rest of this verse where it talks about the events at Karbala.
"The shadow of the Creator on his head" depicts God watching over Hussein.
And then
"Why ask for water from the enemies, when a luminous Wine was kept right there" is a line that fits perfectly with both the historical event (where Shimr cut off the water supply to Hussein's camp) and the metaphorical wine used to quench their thirst. This part is basically saying that although Hussein and his followers were under such hardships, they still kept their faith (La ilaha) strong in order to keep Islam intact and would no doubt be rewarded for it in the afterlife.
And then
"In the passion of love he beheaded himself " is explaining that Hussein's love for his creator was so great that he gladly and willingly gave his life for the cause after "drinking one cup of La ilaha."
When (Hussain) saw that even religion is being wipedout by people not inside religion
Hussain came into arena die for the cause
Over there, there was limitless malice in the heart of Shimr
Over here Hussein had unlimited patience and tranquility
Shimr said "I have the authority/rule in my hand
Hussein said "I have the blessing of the lord"
Shimr said "I am the champion of this side"
Hussein said "I am the beloved Lion of God"
Shimr said "I will not abandon my cruelty"
Hussein said "I will not abandon my loyality (to God)"
Shimr said "I will cut off your water supply"
Hussein said "I will wait right here patiently"
Shimr said "Even bruial shroud will not be put on (Hussain)"
Hussein said "From heaven the clothes will come"
"From heaven the clothes will come"
"They will come" - Hussein said "From heaven the clothes will come"
Shimr said "Over there, there are spears and swords"(x3)
Hussein said "Over here there are those who are ready to be beheaded" (as martyrs)(x5)
Charity in the name of (spilled) blood of Prophet family
Charity in the name of the life of 'Batool'
Charity in the name of flowing of blood of Akbar (son of Hussain)
Charity in the name of Ashger (Hussains' 6 month old son), the milk drinker (a baby)
Charity in the name of Zainaibs' (Hussain Sister) head covering
In the name of Zainaibs' head covering
Charity in the name of King's (Hussain's) plundered house (family)
Joo daikha deen bhee, bay-deen hain mittanay koo
Hussain aagaye maidaan main saar kata nay koo
OodhurOver there toh ShimrShimr ibn Dhil-Jawshan, the general who beheaded Hussein kay dil mein ghoobarBad Blood, Malice, Vexation khee hatt thee
IdhurOver here Hussein kay sabr-or-qarar ke ki hatt thee
Yei Shimr bolaShimr said meray haatHand mein hukoomatAdministration, Authority, Reign, Rule hai
Hussein bola kay muj pur KhuudaaThe Lord, Allah kee rehmaatBlessing hai
Yei Shimr bolay ubharta ho-ah jalaalChampion, Best, Greatest hoo mein
Hussein bolay kay Sher-e-KhuudaaLoin of God kay laalBeloved hoo mein
Yei Shimr bola mein apni jaffa nah chor roo gah
Hussein bola kay rah-e-wafaa nah chor roo gah
Yei Shimr bola kay mein pannee bund kur doo gah
Hussein bolay mein iss pur may sabrBear, Endurance, Patience, Resignation, Submission, Suffering kur loo gah
Yei Shimr bola kafanCloth To Cover The Corpse, Shroud taak nah dala jayee gah
Hussein bolay kay janaat say joora ayee gah (x3)
Ayee gah Janaat say joora (x4)
Ayee gah, Hussein bolay kay janaat say joora ayee gah
Yei Shimr bola, oodhur bharcheeahLong spear hai bhalayShort sword hai (x3)
Hussein bolay idhur suur katanay wale hai (x5)
Khon alay-rasool kah SadaqaCharity(x2)
Sadkah jaane-e-batoolAl-Batool (A title for the Daughter of prophet: The Chaste and Pure One) kah Sadaqa (x2)
Khoon-e-Akbar ki dhaar kah Sadaqa (x2)
Asghar-e-sheer khar kah Sadaqa (x2)
Sadaqa Zenub kay saar ke chaadur ka (x2)
Zenub ki suur ke chaadur ka
Sadaqa shah kay lootay howay ghar ka
This part of the qawalli starts out as a back and forth dialogue between Hussein and Shimr, the general of Yazid's army. Shimr makes threats and taunts to Hussein - but these have no effect on Hussein who knows he is the righteous one who is doing the work of God and thus cares little of what happens to him because he is fighting for the greater good.
The verse then talks about the great sacrifice of the family of the Prophet(pbuh) - specifically
Janab-e-Fatima (daughter of the Prophet),
Akbar (son of Hussain),
Asghar (son of Hussain) and
Sayyeda Zainab (sister of Hussain)
Bartender, come serve me that very wine! (x3)
I do not have any more strength to control myself now
One or two goblets
Come serve mankind one or two goblets now
Bartender serve me more, serve me more, serve me more (x4)
Some crazy vocals
Bartender serve me more, serve me more, serve me more (x2)
???
???
serve me more, serve me more, serve me more, serve me more
serve me more...
Saqi ahh day vohee sheraab mujhay (x3)
Zabt ki ab nahi hai taab mujay
Eik, Doh Jaam
Eik, Doh Jaam ko, alum ko abi aur peelah
Saqia aur pila, aur pila, aur pila. (x4)
Ahhhhhhhh (x5)
Saqia aur pila, aur pila, aur pila. (x2)
Rub kaare iss meikhanne dha
Sonja-eh rhut walah. Lah!
Aur pila, aur pila. aur pila, aur pila. (x2)
Aur pila...
The qawalli ends just how it started, with the drunkard making the assertion that he wants to be served wine, particularly the "wine of Karbala".
So that's it. My basic interpretation of "Saqia Aur Pila" - Some is still untranslated so if you can help don't hesitate to e-mail me.