Year: 1960s
Singer: Bhai Surjan Singh Ragi and chorus
Lyricist: Guru Nanak
'Mil Mere Preetama Jiyo' is a shabad (hymn) by Guru Nanak. The first few lines describe misery in a woman's mind due to separation. The last few lines show how a union is obtained. The depth of pain described in the first few lines is very similar to Sanwre sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. In contrast with 'Sanwre', Guru Nanak's shabad provides a path to come out of misery: prayers to the Guru, with the results (the union) lying in the hands of the Almighty.
The YouTube video in the box shows Bhai Surjan Singh, a blind Gurbani singer who was very popular in 1950s and 1960s.
The translation below has been borrowed from SriGranth.org.
Other compositions with similar sentiments are Sanwre sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kenu Sang Khelu Holi by Meera Bai and Raina Beeti Jaye by Anand Bakshi.
Roman Script
Mai naiṇī nīḏ na āvai jī▫o bẖāvai ann na pāṇī.
Hindi
ਮੈ ਨੈਣੀ ਨੀਦ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਜੀਉ ਭਾਵੈ ਅੰਨੁ ਨ ਪਾਣੀ ॥
मिलु मेरे प्रीतमा जीउ तुधु बिनु खरी निमाणी ॥
मै नैणी नीद न आवै जीउ भावै अंनु न पाणी ॥
Translation
Sleep does not come to my eyes, and I have no desire for food or water.
Roman Script
Gur āgai kara▫o binanṯī je gur bẖāvai ji▫o milai ṯivai milā▫ī▫ai.
Hindi
ਗੁਰ ਆਗੈ ਕਰਉ ਬਿਨੰਤੀ ਜੇ ਗੁਰ ਭਾਵੈ ਜਿਉ ਮਿਲੈ ਤਿਵੈ ਮਿਲਾਈਐ ॥
पाणी अंनु न भावै मरीऐ हावै बिनु पिर किउ सुखु पाईऐ ॥
गुर आगै करउ बिनंती जे गुर भावै जिउ मिलै तिवै मिलाईऐ ॥
Translation
I offer my prayers to the Guru; if it pleases the Guru, He shall unite me with Himself.
Roman Script
Nānak kāmaṇ saḏā suhāgaṇ nā pir marai na jā▫e. ||4||2||
Hindi
ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਹਾਗਣਿ ਨਾ ਪਿਰੁ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਜਾਏ ॥੪॥੨॥
आपे मेलि लए सुखदाता आपि मिलिआ घरि आए ॥
नानक कामणि सदा सुहागणि ना पिरु मरै न जाए ॥४॥२॥
Translation
O Nanak, the soul-bride is forever the Lord's favorite wife; her Husband Lord does not die, and He shall never leave. ||4||2||
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