Title: ਸਿਰ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਭਾ ਚਲੇ (Sir de naal nibhaa challeh)
Lyricist: Balwant Singh Premi
Vocalist: Nabhe Waliyan Bibian
Album: Saka Darbar Sahib 1984
Year: 1985
Interpreted by Harwinder Singh Mander for naujawani
This interpretation is published for English language speakers to gain an idea of what is being expressed in this track, and it should not be considered a finished transliteration or translation under any circumstances; it is a work in progress interpreted by the author at a particular time in his life, with a not insignificant amount of research providing context to what the lyrics, music and artist speak of. If you wish to proffer corrections, your own interpretations, or otherwise, please comment below as we welcome your contribution.
Surjit Kaur and Jaspal Kaur comprised the female duo known as the Nabhe Waliyan Bibian. Alongside lyricist and narrator Balwant Singh Premi, their parsangs became known throughout the Sikh world in the 1980s. Whilst much of their work focused on historical accounts, their contemporary work spoke to people in the everyday language of the Punjabi villager and the often uncomplicated commentary of Premi’s lyricism remained easily memorable. This track closed an album centring on the invasion of Darbar Sahib in June 1984 and is written from the perspective of martyred Sikh leaders who are leaving one final message to the Sikh Panth, as well as to generations of Sikhs yet to come. The lyrics focus on the sacrifice made by sections of Sikh leadership in June 1984 for the struggle for freedom in Punjab; the lyricist points to the movement that the leaders represented as being worthy of giving their lives for and stresses the importance for other Sikhs to take this movement forward. Works like this were instrumental in mobilising Sikh masses around the World following June and November 1984’s deadly atrocities because the lyricist’s assertions of responsibility and continuity being placed upon remaining Sikhs was done so without specific instruction. Quite interestingly, it was obvious to many listening to this work and others like it in the mid-1980s that the movement must not falter, but that which direction it took was in their hands. With that in mind, I put it to the reader that this song is a masterful example of Punjabi folk music that spoke of the importance of taking khande-di-pahul, living in accordance with Gurbani, and advocating for a separate State of Khalistan, without ever uttering those words.
ਅਸੀਂ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਕਾਰਜ ਅਰੰਭਿਆ ਸੀ ਜਿੰਦ ਵਾਰ ਕੇ ਅੱਜ ਨਿਭਾ ਚਲੇ
ਜੋ ਪਰਣ ਅਸਾਂ ਨੇ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ ਉਹ ਸਿਰ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਭਾ ਚਲੇ
Today we give our lives to fulfill the movement which we instigated and set in motion
We give our heads to fulfill the vow we took (to live free)
ਅਸੀਂ ਗੁੜਤੀ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਦੀ ਇਹ ਅਮਰ ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ ਪਾ ਲਈਏ
ਅਸੀਂ ਮਰ ਚਲੇ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਜੀਓ ਸਦਾ ਜਿੰਦ ਧਰਮ ਦੀ ਖਾਤਰ ਲਾ ਲਈਏ
ਜੋ ਕੰਮ ਅਧੂਰਾ ਰਹਿ ਗਿਆ ਏ ਉਹ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਜੁੰਮੇ ਲਾ ਚਲੇ
We have suckled the ambrosial nectar of amrit and now make the eternal sacrifice
Our demise from this World will bring freedom for you – that is what it means to die for what you believe in
What activities remain (for this movement) we leave for you (The Panth) to take on
ਲੈ ਦਿਲ ਵਿਚ ਰੀਝ ਇਹ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਜਨਮ ਦੇ ਫੇਰ ਗਰੰਥ ਲਈ
ਅਸੀਂ ਜਨਮ ਮਨੁੱਖੀ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਤੇ ਫਿਰ ਮਰਨਾ ਹੈ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਲਈ
ਅਸੀਂ ਉਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਹੀ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ ਕੰਮ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਸਿਰ ਤੇ ਪਾ ਚਲੇ
We step forward with the aspiration in our heart to be reborn to serve the Guru again
Taking human birth once more we will then readily die for the Guru
Until that time comes, Khalsa Panth, we place the continuing work of this movement upon you
ਅੱਜ ਵਾਰ ਸਿੱਖੀ ਤੇ ਹੋ ਰਹੇ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਪੋ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਲੜਿਉ ਨਾ
ਹੁਣ ਪੰਥ ਨੂੰ ਖਤਰਾ ਪੈ ਗਿਆ ਏ ਖ਼ੁਦਗਰਜ਼ੀ ਵਿਚ ਅੜਿਓ ਨਾ
ਬੱਸ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਵਾਰੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਵੀਰੋ ਇਹ ਆਖਰੀ ਗੱਲ ਸਮਝਾ ਚਲੇ
Today Sikhi is being attacked – do not squabble or fight amongst yourselves
The Panth is in danger – do not allow self-centredness to hold us (the movement) back
Alas as we take our leave my Sikh brothers, we hope you take heed of these words
ਸਿੱਖ ਪੰਥ ਹੋਵੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਹੋਵੇ ਹੋਰ ਲੋੜ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ ਤੀਜੇ ਦੀ
ਉਹ ਫਸਲ ਤੁਸਾਂ ਨੇ ਵੱਢਣੀਏ ਬਸ ਆਪਣੇ ਹਥ ਨਾਲ ਬੀਜੇ ਦੀ
ਹੁਣ ਬੀਜ ਕੇ ਇਹਦਾ ਬੀਅ ਜਾਵੋ ਅਸੀਂ ਬੰਜਰ ਧਰਤੀ ਵਾਅ ਚਲੇ
There is the Guru Panth and the Guru Granth, we need no third entity
You should only harvest that crop which you sow with your own hands
Take the seed that has been sown (and follow this path); we have ploughed the barren land
ਗੁਰੂ ਘਰ ਦੇ ਦੋਖੀ-ਦੰਭੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੀਰੋ ਖਬਰਦਾਰ ਰਹੋ
ਜੀਓ ਪੰਥ ਲਈ ਮਰੋ ਪੰਥ ਲਈ ਬਸ ਪੰਥ ਦੇ ਵਫਾਦਾਰ ਰਹੋ
ਤੁਸੀਂ ਵਾਂਗ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ ਸਦਾ ਜੀਓ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਰੰਗ ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ ਲਾ ਚਲੇ
Stay away from those souls who challenge the House of Guru Nanak (fake deras and cults)
Live for the Panth, die for the Panth, stay true only to the Panth
Like Premi, may your soul find ever-lasting peace from having heard the words of the Shaheeds
