ਚਾਰਿ ਦਿਨ ਅਪਨੀ ਨਉਬਤਿ ਚਲੇ ਬਜਾਇ ॥

Chaar Dhin Apanee Noubath Chalae Bajaae ||

The mortal beats the drum for a few days, and then he must depart.

ਇਤਨਕੁ ਖਟੀਆ ਗਠੀਆ ਮਟੀਆ ਸੰਗਿ ਨ ਕਛੁ ਲੈ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Eithanak Khatteeaa Gatheeaa Matteeaa Sang N Kashh Lai Jaae ||1|| Rehaao ||

With so much wealth and cash and buried treasure, still, he cannot take anything with him. ||1||Pause||

ਦਿਹਰੀ ਬੈਠੀ ਮਿਹਰੀ ਰੋਵੈ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਲਉ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਾਇ ॥

Dhiharee Baithee Miharee Rovai Dhuaarai Lo Sang Maae ||

Sitting on the threshhold, his wife weeps and wails; his mother accompanies him to the outer gate.

ਮਰਹਟ ਲਗਿ ਸਭੁ ਲੋਗੁ ਕੁਟੰਬੁ ਮਿਲਿ ਹੰਸੁ ਇਕੇਲਾ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥

Marehatt Lag Sabh Log Kuttanb Mil Hans Eikaelaa Jaae ||1||

All the people and relatives together go to the crematorium, but the swan-soul must go home all alone. ||1||

ਵੈ ਸੁਤ ਵੈ ਬਿਤ ਵੈ ਪੁਰ ਪਾਟਨ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਨ ਦੇਖੈ ਆਇ ॥

Vai Suth Vai Bith Vai Pur Paattan Bahur N Dhaekhai Aae ||

Those children, that wealth, that city and town - he shall not come to see them again.

ਕਹਤੁ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਰਾਮੁ ਕੀ ਨ ਸਿਮਰਹੁ ਜਨਮੁ ਅਕਾਰਥੁ ਜਾਇ ॥੨॥੬॥

Kehath Kabeer Raam Kee N Simarahu Janam Akaarathh Jaae ||2||6||

Says Kabeer, why do you not meditate on the Lord? Your life is uselessly slipping away! ||2||6||