Hey Govind, hey Gopal, Krishna hey Murari

 
Words: Soor Das Ji
Composition: Indira Devi
Voice: M S Subbulaxmi

Language: Brij Bhasha
Raag:
Taal: Rupak

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M S Subbulaxmi and Soor Das Ji are both a revelation to me presently. I knew a couple of bhajans by Soor Das Ji from school but never really thought much about them. As for M S, I had no clue who she was till a month back! Growing up, I learnt Hindustani classical music and so I was more familiar with names from this genre of classical music. I still do not know anyone else from the Carnatic tradition except M S (but I hope to get intimate with more names very soon).

So one fine night I decided to expand my horizons into Carnatic music and the first name that came up was M S Subbulaxmi and soon I realized I was listening to something special. I then heard her renditions of some of Soor Das Ji's bhajans and, for the first time, I realized how beautiful these simple songs of the blind saint were! Suddenly, I was deluged by the beauty of these pearl-like words and their immense emotional capacity. 

I am currently a captive of this particular bhajan 'Hey Govind, hey Gopal, Krishna hey Murari' and so I present their lyrics below, followed by a rather literal translation. 

Please Note: I have noted down the lyrics by listening to the song. They are mostly accurate except for a couple of lines which I couldn't understand and they are highlighted in a different colour. Please feel free to suggest corrections. I just couldn't find the lyrics to this bhajan anywhere on the net.

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"Hey Govind, hey Gopal, Krishna hey Murari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari

To so badhik vachal nahi, nath kaun to so?

Mo so patit aur nahin, na najh mo so

To hi aaye sharan teri, hey hriday-haari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari

Kamal nayan, madhur bayan, maal gal suhave

Chapal charan, Manmohan Yamuna tat aave

Madhur, madhur murli adhar, ang peet dhaari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari

Hey Kripalu naam tero sun ke neer aaye

Beri-beri itni der Shyam kyu lagaayi?

Janam-janam baat dekhu, naath, mai tihari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari

Hey Govind, hey Gopal, Krishna hey Murari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari..."

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Translation:

O Govind! O Gopal! Krishna, O Murari! (All names of Krishna)
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

There is no one like you, who can be a lord like you?
No bigger sinner than me, no one else
Thus, I submit to you, O saviour of souls
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

Lotus-eyed, sweet natured, garland adorned
With swift feet, Manmohan, come near Yamuna
The sweet, sweet flute on lips, yellow attired
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

O kind lord, hearing your name I cry
Why do you delay again, Shyam?
I have been waiting for you all through my lives
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

O Govind! O Gopal! Krishna, O Murari!
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

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Source for name of composer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKPvw1YtpCg