Chand Apna Safar

As requested by Z ... this 80s song is relatively new to me, appearing on a recent compilation of Lata's called The Premium Collection on the Universal label, I only heard it a few years ago and immediately fell in love with it. It's a beautifully tragic number that plays as a tawaif's lament. I have not seen the movie so I'm going off of the lyrics and the cover of the vinyl alone. The EP's back cover credits two lyricists for this track. This song reminds me of Mohabbat Ke Dushman's Bahut Kat Chuka Hai Safar Haule Haule, Bujhi Ja Rahi Hai Nazar Haule Haule.

Film: Shama
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Asad Bhopali, Zafar Gorakhpuri
MD: Usha Khanna

Chaand Apna Safar Khatam Karta Raha
the moon went on creeping towards journey's end
(the moon kept setting)
Shama Jalti Rahi, Raat Dhalti Rahi
the candle went on burning, the night kept falling
Chaand Apna Safar Khatam Karta Raha
Shama Jalti Rahi, Raat Dhalti Rahi
Dil Mein Yaadon Ke Nashtar Se Toota Kiye
a lancet of memories kept lashing at my heart
Ek Tamanna Kaleja Masalti Rahi
a single desire went on crushing my liver
Chaand Apna Safar Khatam Karta Raha
Shama Jalti Rahi, Raat Dhalti Rahi


Bad-naseebi Sharafat Ki Dushman Bani
ill fate became nobility's enemy
Saj Sanwar Ke Bhi Dulhan Na Dulhan Bani
even after being adorned, a bride did not become a bride
Tikka Mathe Pe Ek Daag Banta Gaya
the tikka went on staining the forehead
(a tikka, forehead adornment, is traditionally made of powder - similar to a bindi, here instead of decorating the forehead, it has become a stain..)
Mehndi Haathon Se Sholay Ugalti Rahi
the henna went on radiating sparks from the hands
(what should have been a beautiful body adornment instead torments her and burns her hands)
Chaand Apna Safar Khatam Karta Raha
Shama Jalti Rahi, Raat Dhalti Rahi


Khwab Palkon Se Ghir Kar Fanaa Ho Gaye
dreams fell from my eyelashes and ceased to exist
Do Kadam Chal Ke Tum Bhi Judah Ho Gaye
after walking two steps, you also separated from me
Meri Haari Thaki Ankh Se Raat Din
Ek Nadi Ansooun Ki Ubhalti Rahi
from my defeated and tired eyes, day and night, a river of tears kept on flowing
Chaand Apna Safar Khatam Karta Raha
Shama Jalti Rahi, Raat Dhalti Rahi


Subah Mangi Tau Gham Ka Andhera Mila
when I yearned for the morning, I received the darkness of sorrow
Mujh Ko Rota Sisakta Savera Mila
I received a crying, sobbing morning
Main Ujaalon Ki Na-kaam Hasrat Liye
Umar Bhar Mom Ban Kar Pighalti Rahi
with my useless/fruitless longing for light/illumination, for the rest of my life,
I became candle wax and kept melting away
Chaand Apna Safar Khatam Karta Raha
Shama Jalti Rahi, Raat Dhalti Rahi


Chund Yaadon Ki Parchaiyon Ke Siva
besides a few shadows of memories
Kuch Bhi Paya Na Tanhaiyon Ke Siva
I did not gain anything but loneliness/solitude
Waqt Meri Tabahi Pe Hasta Raha
time went on laughing at my destruction
Rang Taqdeer Kya Kya Badalti Rahi
what colors my fate kept changing
Chaand Apna Safar Khatam Karta Raha
Shama Jalti Rahi, Raat Dhalti Rahi
Dil Mein Yaadon Ke Naschtar Se Toota Kiye
Ek Tamanna Kaleja Masalti Rahi
Chaand Apna Safar Khatam Karta Raha
Shama Jalti Rahi, Raat Dhalti Rahi