Good Timber by Douglas Malloch

The tree that never had to fight

For sun and sky and air and light,

But stood out in the open plain

And always got its share of rain,

Never became a forest king

But lived and died a scrubby thing.

The man who never had to toil

To gain and farm his patch of soil,

Who never had to win his share

Of sun and sky and light and air,

Never became a manly man

But lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow with ease:

The stronger wind, the stronger trees;

The further sky, the greater length;

The more the storm, the more the strength.

By sun and cold, by rain and snow,

In trees and men good timbers grow.

Where thickest lies the forest growth,

We find the patriarchs of both.

And they hold counsel with the stars

Whose broken branches show the scars

Of many winds and much of strife.

This is the common law of life.

by Douglas Malloch

'Character of the Happy Warrior' by William Wordsworth

Who is the happy Warrior? Who is he
That every man in arms should wish to be?

It is the generous Spirit, who, when brought
Among the tasks of real life, hath wrought
Upon the plan that pleased his boyish thought:
Whose high endeavours are an inward light
That makes the path before him always bright;
Who, with a natural instinct to discern
What knowledge can perform, is diligent to learn;
Abides by this resolve, and stops not there,
But makes his moral being his prime care;

Who, doomed to go in company with Pain,
And Fear, and Bloodshed, miserable train!
Turns his necessity to glorious gain;
In face of these doth exercise a power
Which is our human nature's highest dower:
Controls them and subdues, transmutes, bereaves
Of their bad influence, and their good receives:
By objects, which might force the soul to abate
Her feeling, rendered more compassionate;
Is placable—because occasions rise
So often that demand such sacrifice;
More skilful in self-knowledge, even more pure,
As tempted more; more able to endure,
As more exposed to suffering and distress;
Thence, also, more alive to tenderness.

—'Tis he whose law is reason; who depends
Upon that law as on the best of friends;
Whence, in a state where men are tempted still
To evil for a guard against worse ill,
And what in quality or act is best
Doth seldom on a right foundation rest,
He labours good on good to fix, and owes
To virtue every triumph that he knows:

—Who, if he rise to station of command,
Rises by open means; and there will stand
On honourable terms, or else retire,
And in himself possess his own desire;
Who comprehends his trust, and to the same
Keeps faithful with a singleness of aim;
And therefore does not stoop, nor lie in wait
For wealth, or honours, or for worldly state;
Whom they must follow; on whose head must fall,
Like showers of manna, if they come at all:
Whose powers shed round him in the common strife,
Or mild concerns of ordinary life,
A constant influence, a peculiar grace;

But who, if he be called upon to face
Some awful moment to which Heaven has joined
Great issues, good or bad for human kind,
Is happy as a Lover; and attired
With sudden brightness, like a Man inspired;
And, through the heat of conflict, keeps the law
In calmness made, and sees what he foresaw;
Or if an unexpected call succeed,
Come when it will, is equal to the need:

—He who, though thus endued as with a sense
And faculty for storm and turbulence,
Is yet a Soul whose master-bias leans
To homefelt pleasures and to gentle scenes;
Sweet images! which, wheresoe'er he be,
Are at his heart; and such fidelity
It is his darling passion to approve;
More brave for this, that he hath much to love:—
'Tis, finally, the Man, who, lifted high,
Conspicuous object in a Nation's eye,
Or left unthought-of in obscurity,—

Who, with a toward or untoward lot,
Prosperous or adverse, to his wish or not—
Plays, in the many games of life, that one
Where what he most doth value must be won:
Whom neither shape or danger can dismay,
Nor thought of tender happiness betray;

Who, not content that former worth stand fast,
Looks forward, persevering to the last,
From well to better, daily self-surpast:
Who, whether praise of him must walk the earth
For ever, and to noble deeds give birth,
Or he must fall, to sleep without his fame,
And leave a dead unprofitable name—
Finds comfort in himself and in his cause;
And, while the mortal mist is gathering, draws
His breath in confidence of Heaven's applause:
This is the happy Warrior; this is he
That every man in arms should wish to be.

 - William Wordsworth

'Desiderata' by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
And remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
And listen to others,
Even to the dull and the ignorant;
They too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
They are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
You may become vain or bitter,
For always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
For the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
Many persons strive for high ideals,
And everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
For in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
It is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
Gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
You have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
Whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
It is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

- Max Ehrmann 1927

If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!


- Rudyard Kipling

'Don't Quit' by John Greenleaf Whittier

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low but the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit...
Rest if you must, but don't you quit!

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many failures turn about
When we might have won had we stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow...
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out...
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- John Greenleaf Whittier

'How Did You Die?' by Edmund Vance Cooke

Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
With a resolute heart and cheerful?
Or hide your face from the light of day
With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it,
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only how did you take it?

You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?
Come up with a smiling face.
It's nothing against you to fall down flat,
But to lie there -- that's disgrace.
The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce;
Be proud of your blackened eye!
It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts,
It's how did you fight --  and why?

And though you be done to the death, what then?
If you battled the best you could,
If you played your part in the world of men,
Why, the Critic will call it good.
Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,
And whether he's slow or spry,
It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,
But only how did you die?

- Edmund Vance Cooke

‘Man in the Arena’ - Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt was born sick with incapacitating asthma. However, he overcame his health complications by embracing an energetic lifestyle. When he ascended to the presidency of US at the age of 42, he became the youngest ever to reach that position. His personality, knowledge and extensive interests on numerous areas made him one the best presidents of US. He understood the importance of nature and established several national parks, forests, and monuments to preserve nature. He also initiated the construction of Panama Canal, which not only transformed Panama and Americas but also revolutionized world trade. His successful efforts in brokering the end of Russia-Japan War earned him Nobel Peace Prize in 1906. Roosevelt also led a two-year expedition to Amazon river basin where he nearly died of tropical disease.

After leaving office on 1909, Roosevelt went on a hunting expedition in East and Central Africa and started a tour of Northern Africa and Europe. He attended events across African and European Cities'. On April 23 of 1910 he gave one his most memorable, most quoted speech known as 'Citizenship in a Republic' at Sorbonne, Paris in front of two thousand strong audience which includes ministers, army and navy officers, nine hundred students.

The most widely quoted paragraph known as 'The Man in the Arena' from that speech is given below.

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

- Theodore Roosevelt

You can access the full speech here - https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Citizenship_in_a_Republic

Invictus (Unconquered) by William Ernest Henley

Invictus was written by English poet ‘William Ernest Henley’ in 1875. Poem was initially published without a title. This apt title was added by ‘Arthur Quiller-Couch’ when he included this poem in ‘Oxford book of English verse’ in 1900. 

This poem’s last two lines became very famous, and often quoted by politicians, public speakers and major characters in multiple movies. Poem represents tragedies in author's life and how he went through it. When Henley was 16 years old, his left leg was amputated due to TB. Later he was told that same procedure is required for his other leg as well. He refused that option and travelled to Edenborough to meet famous English surgeon Sir Joseph Lister, who is a pioneer in antiseptic surgery. After multiple surgeries Lister was able to save Henley's leg. This poem was written by author when he was recovering from surgeries.

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

- William Ernest Henley

"If I Had My Life to Live Over"

If I had my life to live over, 
I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. 
I'd relax, I'd limber up. 
I would be sillier than I've been this trip. 
I would take fewer things seriously, take more chances, take more trips. 
I'd climb more mountains, and swim more rivers. 
I would eat more ice cream and less beans. 
I would perhaps have more actual troubles, 
but I'd have fewer imaginary ones. 

You see, I'm one of those people who lived seriously, 
sanely, hour after hour, day after day. 
Oh, I've had my moments, and if 
I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. 
I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without 
a thermometer, a hot-water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. 

If I had to do it again, 
I would travel lighter than this trip. 
If I had my life to live over, 
I would start going barefoot earlier in the spring, 
and stay that way later in the fall. 
I would go to more dances, 
I would ride more merry-go-rounds. 
I would pick more daisies.

by Nadine Stair

Sajeev

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" - Robert Lee Frost

Life can present infinite scenarios in front of us. Its often we who fails to opt one firmly and leave all other distractions. Even after choosing, quite often we end up in a state of affairs, where our side looks dry and opposite one green. We often fail to resist the temptation of choosing a way, which may not be appropriate for us. Sometimes, we may fail to answer with a firm yes/no.

Distractions coupled with indecisiveness are indeed an appalling condition. If you ever went through any of these circumstances (and of course hundreds of related ones) then Frost's 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' may assist you to reach an answer.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening - Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Sajeev.

"The Road Not Taken" - Robert Lee Frost

Robert Lee Frost, was a famous American poet, who is distinguished for his magnificent portrayal of rural life. I saw his poem, for the first time in my English text book, when I was in school. 'The Road Not Taken' from 'Mountain Travel' is one of the poems which will force people to sit back for a couple of minutes and think. Please note that Frost received Pulitzer Prize for poetry four times for his works 'New Hampshire: A Poem With Notes and Grace Notes' (1924), 'Collected Poems' (1931), 'A Further Range' (1937), 'A Witness Tree' (1943)

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Sajeev.

References

1. Wikipedia

"Self Pity" - DH Lawrence

David Herbert Richards Lawrence, famously known by his short name DH Lawrence, was a renowned English novelist, poet, playwright etc. Probably the first time I heard his poem 'Self Pity', was through the movie 'GI Jane', then on Denzel Washington's 'Great Debaters'. Needless to say, the first time itself I liked it.

Lyrics

"I never saw a wild thing
Sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough
Without ever having felt sorry for itself."

Sajeev.

Ode to Joy and Beethovan' 9th Symphony

'Ludwig van Beethoven' is one of the most famous music composors of all time. His final complete symphony, Symphony No. 9 in D minor Op. 125, is considered as one of the greatest musical work of all time. The words sung during the final movement were taken from Friedrich Schiller's 'Ode to joy' (German: 'Ode an die Freude', written in 1785) with additions from Beethovan. This was adapted for European Anthem (in 1972 by Council of Europe, and in 1985 as official anthem of EU [without words]).

Please see the lyrics both in German (original) and in English.

"Ode an die Freude" - German original

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.
Freude! (men's chorus: Freude! )
Freude! (chorus again: Freude! )

Freude, schöner Götterfunken
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!
Deine Zauber binden wieder
Was die Mode streng geteilt;
Alle Menschen werden Brüder,
Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.

Wem der große Wurf gelungen,
Eines Freundes Freund zu sein;
Wer ein holdes Weib errungen,
Mische seinen Jubel ein!
Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele
Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund!
Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle
Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!

Freude trinken alle Wesen
An den Brüsten der Natur;
Alle Guten, alle Bösen
Folgen ihrer Rosenspur.
Küsse gab sie uns und Reben,
Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod;
Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben,
Und der Cherub steht vor Gott.
Vor Gott!

Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen
Durch des Himmels prächt'gen Plan,
Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn,
Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen.

Seid umschlungen, Millionen!
Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt!

Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt
Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen.

Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen?
Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt?
Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt!
Über Sternen muss er wohnen.

Ode to Joy (English)

Oh friends, not these tones!
Rather, let us raise our voices in more pleasing
And more joyful sounds!
Joy! (Joy!)
Joy! (Joy!)

Joy, beautiful spark of the gods*
Daughter of Elysium,
We enter, drunk with fire,
Heavenly one, your sanctuary!
Your magic reunites
What custom strictly divided.
All men become brothers,
Where your gentle wing rests.

Whoever has had the great fortune
To be a friend's friend,
Whoever has won a devoted wife,
Join in our jubilation!
Indeed, whoever can call even one soul
His own on this earth!
And whoever was never able to, must creep
Tearfully away from this band!

Joy all creatures drink
At the breasts of nature;
All good, all bad
Follow her trail of roses.
Kisses she gave us, and wine,
A friend, proved to the end;
Pleasure was given to the worm,
And the cherub stands before God.
Before God!

Glad, as His suns fly
Through the Heaven's glorious design,
Run, brothers, your path,
Joyful, as a hero to victory.

Be embraced, millions!
This kiss for the whole world!

Brothers, above the starry canopy
Must a loving Father dwell.

Do you bow down, millions?
Do you sense the Creator, world?
Seek Him beyond the starry canopy!
Beyond the stars must He dwell.

YouTube video for 9th Symphony

References

1. European Union  - Anthem
2. Wikipedia (please note that the lyrics are copied from Wikipedia)

Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humara...

Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humara is one of my earliest favorite song in Hindi. Written by Shyamlal Gupta `Parshad' in 1924 this beautiful song about our National Flag is also known as 'Junda Geet'

Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humara

Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyaara
Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humara
Sadaa shakti sarsaane waala,
Prem sudha barsaane waala,
Veero ko harshaane waala,
Maatru bhoomi ka tan-man saara,
Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humara.

Swatantra ke bheeshan run mein,
Lakhkar josh badhein
kshan-kshan mein,
Kaape shatru dekh kar man mein,
Mit jaye bhay sankat saara
Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humaara.

Is zande ke neeche nirbhay,
Rahei(n) swaadheen
hum avichal nishchay.
Bolo Bhaarat maata ki jay.
Swatantrata ho dhyey humara
Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humaara.

Aao, pyaare veero! Aao;
Desh- dharm par bali-bali jao
Ek saath sab mil kar gaao,
“Pyaara Bhaarat desh humaara,
Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humaara.

Iski shaan na jaane paaye,
Chaahei(n) jaan bhale hi jaye,
Vishwa vijay karke dikhlaaye,

Tab hove praan poorna humaara
Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humaara,
Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyaara.”

Sajeev.

Lyrics Courtesy: From one of the question answer forums.

Old Man's Hope: Sons of Ind, why sit ye idle

Allan Octavian Hume (aka A.O Hume) is an unavoidable name in the history of Indian Independence Movement. He is considered as the founder of one of the oldest democratic parties in the world - INC (Indian National Congress). Apart from a civil servant, political reformer he was also an amateur ornithologist and horticulturalist in British India.

Old Man's Hope, written by A.O Hume, was first published in 1886. This poem analyses the situation of India in the 1880's.

Old Man's Hope

        Sons of Ind, why sit ye idle,
        Wait ye for some Deva's aid?
        Buckle to, be up and doing!
        Nations by themselves are made!

        Yours the land, lives, all, at stake, tho'
        Not by you the cards are played;
        Are ye dumb? Speak up and claim them!
        By themselves are nations made!

        What avail your wealth, your learning,
        Empty titles, sordid trade?
        True self-rule were worth them all!
        Nations by themselves are made!

        Whispered murmurs darkly creeping,
        Hidden worms beneath the glade,
        Not by such shall wrong be righted!
        Nations by themselves are made!

        Are ye Serfs or are ye Freemen,
        Ye that grovel in the shade?
        In your own hands rest the issues!
        By themselves are nations made!

        Sons of Ind, be up and doing,
        Let your course by none be stayed;
        Lo! the Dawn is in the East;
        By themselves are nations made!

Lyrics Courtesy: Wikipedia.

Sajeev.

I am very thankful to one of my friends, who send me this poem.

Sarfaroshi kii tamannaa ab hamaare dil mein hai...

"Sarfaroshi kii tamannaa ab hamaare dil mein hai

Dekhnaa hai zor kitnaa baazu-e-qaatil mein hai..."

These lines inspired thousands of people during India's freedom struggle. Written by legendry freedom fighter Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil these lines are still there in the lips of millions of Indians. Let's see the full lyrics.

English Version

Sarfaroshi kii tamannaa ab hamaare dil mein hai

Dekhnaa hai zor kitnaa baazu-e-qaatil mein hai

Ek se karataa nahin kyon dusaraa kuchh baat-cheet

Dekhtaa hun main jise woh chup teri mehfil mein hai

Aye shaheed-e-mulk-o-millat main tere oopar nisaar

Ab teri himmat ka charchaa gair kii mehfil mein hai

Sarfaroshi kii tamannaa ab hamaare dil mein hai

Dekhnaa hai zor kitnaa baazu-e-qaatil mein hai

Waqt aane de bataa denge tujhe aye aasamaan

Hum abhii se kyaa bataayen kyaa hamaare dil mein hai

Kheench kar laayee hai sab ko qatl hone ki ummeed

Aashiqon ka aaj jamaghat koonch-e-qaatil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Dekhnaa hai zor kitnaa baazu-e-qaatil mein hai

Hai liye hathiyaar dushman taak mein baithaa udhar

Aur hum taiyyaar hain seena liye apnaa idhar

Khoon se khelenge holi gar vatan muskhil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamannaa ab hamaare dil mein hai

Haath jin mein ho junoon katate nahin talvaar se

Sar jo uth jaate hain vo jhukate nahin lalakaar se

Aur bhadakegaa jo sholaa-saa hamaare dil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamannaa ab hamaare dil mein hai

Hum to nikale hii the ghar se baandhakar sar pe kafan

Jaan hatheli par liye lo barh chale hain ye qadam

Zindagi to apnii mehamaan maut ki mehfil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamannaa ab hamaare dil mein hai

Yuun khadaa maqtal mein qaatil kah rahaa hai baar-baar

Kya tamannaa-e-shahaadat bhi kisee ke dil mein hai

Dil mein tuufaanon ki toli aur nason mein inqilaab

Hosh dushman ke udaa denge hamein roko na aaj

Duur rah paaye jo hamse dam kahaan manzil mein hai

Sarfaroshi kii tamannaa ab hamaare dil mein hai

Jism bhi kya jism hai jisamein na ho khoon-e-junoon

Kya wo toofaan se lade jo kashti-e-saahil mein hai

Chup khade hain aaj saare bhai mere khaamosh hain

Na karo to kuchh kaho mazhab mera mushkil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamannaa ab hamaare dil mein hai

Dekhanaa hai zor kitnaa baaju-e-qaatil mein hai

English Translation

The desire for sacrifice is now in our hearts

We shall now see what strength there is in the boughs of the enemy.

O country, Why does no other speaks?

Whoever I see, is gathered quiet in your party...

O martyr of country, of nation, I submit myself to thee

For yet even the unacquainted speaks of thy courage

The desire for struggle is in our hearts

We shall now see what strength there is in the boughs of the enemies.

When the time comes, we shall show thee, O heaven

For why should we tell thee now, what lurks in our hearts?

We are pulled to service, by the hope of martyrdom

The gathering of the lovers for martyrdom is in the house of the enemy

The desire for struggle is in our hearts

We shall now see what strength there is in the boughs of the enemies.

Armed does the enemy sit, ready to attack on that side

Ready too are we, our bosoms thrust out to him on this side

With blood we shall play Holi, if our nation is in need

The desire for struggle is in our hearts

No sword can sever hands that have the heat of battle within,

No threat can bow heads that have risen so

Even furthermore will rise the flame that is inside us

and the desire for struggle is in our hearts

We set out from our homes, our heads shrouded with cloth(our body bag),

Holding our lives in our hands, do we march so

In our assembly of death, life is now but a guest

The desire for struggle is in our hearts

Stands the enemy in the gallows thus, asking,

Does anyone has a wish for martyrdom?

With a host of storms in our heart, and with revolution in our breath,

We shall knock the enemy cold, and no one shall stop us

What guts does our destination has, to stay away from us
The desire for struggle is in our hearts

What good is a body that does not have passionate blood,

How can a boat tied to shore contest with storms over wild seas

The desire for struggle is in our hearts,

We shall now see what strength there is in the boughs of the enemies.

Lyrics Courtesy: Wikipedia

Sajeev.

Hum Sab Bharatiya hain...

It was almost nine years back, I sang this song for the last time. Official song of NCC (National Cadet Corps) still sounds as fresh as I heard it for the first time around one decade back. NCC was created through National Cadet Corps Act in 1948 (even though its origin can be traced back to 'University Corps’, created under Indian Defence Act 1917) by Indian Parliament. This tri-services group considered as one of India's biggest organizations with a strength of 1.3mn.

Written by Sudarshan Fakir these lines are still in the tongues of thousands of students across India.

Lyrics:

Hum Sab Bharatiya hain, Hum Sab Bharatiya hain.
Apni Manzil Ek Hai, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ek Hai, Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho, Ek Hai,

Hum Sab Bharatiya hain.
Kashmir Ki Dharti Rani Hai,
Sartaj Himalaya Hai.
Sadiyon Se Hamne Isko Apne Khoon Se Pala Hai
"Desh Ki Raksha Ki Khatir Hum Shamshir Utha Lenge.
Bikhre Bikhre Tarey Hain hum Lekin Jhilmil Ek Hai
Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ek Hai
Hum Sab Bharatiya hain

Mandir Gurudwara Bhi Hain Yahan 
Aur Masjid Bhi Hai Yahan
Girija Ka Hai Ghadiyal Kahin
Mullah Ki Kahin Hai Ajaan
Ek Hi Apna Ram Hai, Ek Hi Allah Taala Hai,
Ek Hi Apna Ram Hai, Rang Birange Deepak Hain Hum,
Ek Jagmag Ek Hain Ha, Ha, Ek Hai, Ho, Ho, Ho, Ek Hai.
Hum Sab Bharatiya hain, Hum Sab Bharatiya hain.

Sajeev.

Lyrics Courtesy: NCC

Mile Sur Mera Tumhara...

Patriotic songs represent nation’s spirit for independence, unity and integrity. 'Kadam kadam..', 'Saare jahan se acha..' etc always aroused the feeling of patriotism, brotherhood, unity and integrity in the minds of millions of Indians.

I don't remember when I first heared the lines 'Mile sur...', but from the first time itself I liked the song. According to the story, it took 18 attempts for the writer (then an Account Manager) Piyush Pandey to get it correct. The concept was developed by Lok Seva Sanchar Parishad, in 1988 and promoted by DoorDarshan (yes, our good old government run national broadcaster) and Information Ministry.  This magnificent piece in 'Raga Bharavi' raga, was composed by Ashok Patki, co-composed and arranged by Louis Banks. The project was conceived and directed by Suresh Mullick.

Another interesting fact about this song is the usage of various languages and music. This song made use of - all 14 languages (Hindi, Kashmiri, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Bangla, Assamese, Oriya, Gujarati and Marathi), then (1988) present in the eighth schedule of the constitution. ‘Mile Sur...’ was first telecasted in ‘DoorDarshan’ after Prime Ministers speech during 1988th Independence Day celebrations.

Lyrics:

[hi] milē sur merā tumhārā, tō sur banē hamārā
sur kī nadiyān̐ har diśā sē, bahte sāgar men̐ milē
bādalōn̐ kā rūp lēkar, barse halkē halkē
milē sur merā tumhārā, tō sur banē hamārā
milē sur merā tumhārā
[ks] Chaain taraz tai myain taraz, ik watt baniye saayen taraz
[pa] tērā sur milē mērē sur dē nāl, milkē baṇē ikk navān̐ sur tāl
[hi] milē sur merā tumhārā, tō sur banē hamārā
[sn] mun̐hin̐jō sur tun̐hin̐jē sān̐ piyārā milē jad̤ahin̐, gīt asān̐jō madhur tarānō baṇē tad̤ahin̐
[ur] sur ka darya bahte sagar men mile
[pa] bādalān̐ dā rūp laikē, barsan haulē haulē
[ta] Isaindhal namm iruvarin suramum namadhakum
Dhisai veru aanalum aazi ser aarugal Mugilai
mazaiyai pozivadu pol isai
Nam isai
[kn] nanna dhvanige ninna dhvaniya, sēridante namma dhvaniya
[te] nā svaramu nī svaramu sangamamayi, mana svaranḡa avatarincē
[ml] eṉṯe svaravum niṅṅkaḷoṭe svaravum, ottucērnnu namoṭe svaramāy
[bn] tōmār śūr mōdēr śūr, sriṣṭi kōruk ōikōśūr
[as] sriṣṭi hauk aikyatān
[or] tuma āmara svarara miḷana, sriṣṭi kari chālu ekā tāna
[gu] maḷē sur jō tārō mārō, banē āpṇō sur nirāḷō
[mr] mājhyā tumchyā juḷtā tārā, madhur surānchyā barastī dhārā
[hi] sur kī nadiyān̐ har diśā sē, bahte sāgar men̐ milē
bādalōn̐ kā rūp lēkar, barse halkē halkē
milē sur merā tumhārā, tō sur banē hamārā

Sajeev.

Courtesy for lyrics: Wikipedia

"Sāre jahāñ se acchā hindostāñ hamārā.."

“Sara Jahan se acha…”, is one of my favorite songs, first two lines of this poem will always comes to my mind, in fact this may be one of the many two lines which will always remain in the lips of millions of Indians. This poem (one of the most popular poems in India) is written in Urdu, by Muhammed Iqbal (later become the national poet of Pakistan) was first published in 1904.

Lyrics:

sāre jahāñ se acchā hindostāñ hamārā
ham bulbuleñ haiñ us kī vuh gulsitāñ hamārā
ġhurbat meñ hoñ agar ham, rahtā hai dil vatan meñ
samjho vuhīñ hameñ bhī dil ho jahāñ hamārā
parbat vuh sab se ūñchā, hamsāyah āsmāñ kā
vuh santarī hamārā, vuh pāsbāñ hamārā
godī meñ kheltī haiñ us kī hazāroñ nadiyāñ
gulshan hai jin ke dam se rashk-e janāñ hamārā
ay āb-rūd-e gangā! vuh din haiñ yād tujh ko?
utarā tire kināre jab kāravāñ hamārā
mażhab nahīñ sikhātā āpas meñ bair rakhnā
hindī haiñ ham, vatan hai hindostāñ hamārā
yūnān-o-miṣr-o-rumā sab miṭ gaye jahāñ se
ab tak magar hai bāqī nām-o-nishāñ hamārā
kuchh bāt hai kih hastī miṭtī nahīñ hamārī
sadiyoñ rahā hai dushman daur-e zamāñ hamārā
iqbāl! koī meharam apnā nahīñ jahāñ meñ
m’alūm kyā kisī ko dard-e nihāñ hamārā!

English Translation:

Better than the entire world, is our Hindustan,
We are its nightingales, and it (is) our garden abode
If we are in an alien place, the heart remains in the homeland,
Know us to be only there where our heart is.
That tallest mountain, that shade-sharer of the sky,
It (is) our sentry, it (is) our watchman
In its lap frolic those thousands of rivers,
Whose vitality makes our garden the envy of Paradise.
O the flowing waters of the Ganges, do you remember that day
When our caravan first disembarked on your waterfront?
Religion does not teach us to bear ill-will among ourselves
We are of Hind, our homeland is Hindustan.
In a world in which ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome have all vanished without trace
Our own attributes (name and sign) live on today.
Such is our existence that it cannot be erased
Even though, for centuries, the cycle of time has been our enemy.
Iqbal! We have no confidant in this world
What does any one know of our hidden pain?

Regards,
Sajeev.

English translation is copied from Wikipedia.

Kadam kadam badaye ja . . .

          I don’t know when I first heared these lines but it becomes one of my favorite lyrics. "Kadam kadam badaye ja..." composed by Capt Ram Singh Thakur and now the Regimental quick march of Indian Army. He also composed the tune for “Subh Sukh Chain ke..” the national anthem adopted by Azad Hind. The music of the current version of national anthem “Jana gana mana…” was also composed by Capt Ram Singh Thakur.

Devnagari script Romanised Hindi Translation (Approximate)

कदम कदम बढ़ाये जा
खुशी के गीत गाये जा
ये जिंदगी है क़ौम की
तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा

तू शेर-ए-हिन्द आगे बढ़
मरने से तू कभी न डर
उड़ा के दुश्मनों का सर
जोश-ए-वतन बढ़ाये जा

कदम कदम बढ़ाये जा
खुशी के गीत गाये जा
ये जिंदगी है क़ौम की
तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा

हिम्मत तेरी बढ़ती रहे
खुदा तेरी सुनता रहे
जो सामने तेरे खड़े
तू खाक में मिलाये जा

कदम कदम बढ़ाये जा
खुशी के गीत गाये जा
ये जिंदगी है क़ौम की
तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा

चलो दिल्ली पुकार के
ग़म-ए-निशाँ संभाल के
लाल क़िले पे गाड़ के
लहराये जा लहराये जा

कदम कदम बढ़ाये जा
खुशी के गीत गाये जा
ये जिंदगी है क़ौम की
तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा

Kadam kadam baṛāē jā
khushi kē geet gāē jā
yē zīndagi haiñ kâum kī
tū kâum pē lūtāē jā

tū shēr-ē-hind āgē baṛ
marnē sē tū kabhī nā daṛ
Ūṛākē dushmanō kā saṛ
jōsh-ē-vatan baṛāē jā

Kadam kadam baṛāē jā
khushi kē geet gāē jā
yē zīndagi haiñ kâum kī
tū kâum pē lūtāē jā

himmat tēr baṛtī rahē
khuda tērī suntā rahē
jō sāmnē tērē khaṛē
tū khāñk mē milāē jā

Kadam kadam baṛāē jā
khushi kē geet gāē jā
yē zndagi haiñ kâum kī
tū kâum pē lūtāē jā

Chalō Dillī pūkār kē
gam-ē-nishāñ samhāl kē
Lāl qilē pē gāṛ kē
lahrāēñ jā lahrāēñ jā

Kadam kadam baṛāē jā
khushi kē geet gāē jā
yē zndagi haiñ kâum kī
tū kâum pē lūtāē jā

Approx English Translation[I am very thankful to the person who provided this translation]

Take all your steps forward
Sing songs of happiness as you go
This life belongs to motherland
Lay it down for her a hundredfold

You are the Tiger of India
Do not ever fear death
Blow away the enemy's head
Raise the spirits of your comrades

Take all your steps forward
Sing songs of happiness as you go
Your life belongs to the motherland
Lay it down for her a hundredfold

Your courage is your strength
The Lord listens to you
As for he who stands in your way
Turn him into dust and stamp him into the ground

Take all your steps forward
Sing songs of happiness as you go
This life belongs to motherland
Lay it down for her a hundredfold

"For Delhi" you scream
Hold your banner high
Plant it on the Red Fort
And let it fly eternally

Take all your steps forward
Sing songs of happiness as you go
This life belongs to motherland
Lay it down for her a hundredfold.

Sajeev.