Lathe Di Chadar — Lyrics

Ajj raat nu taan gutt te lai le, Mainu jaandi na maar ve. Lathe di chadar de vich aik vari sukh na levan, Fer jaani maran haar ve.

This is indeed a long, poignant story-song (a boliyan -based epic) about a poor woman's struggle and her husband's neglect. Here is the (common version), broken down with its story. The Short Story Behind the Song A poor woman is suffering in extreme cold. Her husband has a thick, heavy quilt ( lathe di chadar — a quilt stuffed with raw cotton [lathe] ), but he refuses to share it with her, wrapping it only around himself. She pleads with him, describing her shivering state. In some versions, the song ends in tragedy (she dies of cold); in others, it's a sharp critique of male selfishness. Complete Traditional Lyrics (Punjabi - Gurmukhi & Romanized) Here is the most complete common version. Romanized Punjabi Chadar utte (male voice): Lathe di chadar, mere yaar nu cha gayi, Mainu na mili, mainu na mili, Sari raat jagaya main taan. lyrics lathe di chadar

Tera lathe di chadar wich ang sidharna, Mera tatti jhuggi te seeng vi ni. Jadon tak teri chadar nu paavan lathe wali, Ohdon tak mera jee na nikka, mere yaar ve. Ajj raat nu taan gutt te lai le, Mainu jaandi na maar ve

Tu ja ke apne maape nu aakh, Lathe di chadar lai aa ve. Main ki karaan mera ghar ghareeb da, Kitho'n lai aan lathe di chadar ve. Here is the (common version), broken down with its story

Mainu chadar na ditti, mainu chadar na ditti, Tainu rab ne hath na laa'ni. Jadon main mar gayi, mere laash nu vi na chaddi, Teriyan aahi kamaaiyan ni.