In silent hours, from within the core of my heart,
Who calls me in the language of songs?
He says: “Come, come, sit beside me.
Why keep away at this odd hour?”
Who calls me in the language of songs?

Gone are many colored dawns
And many high-upsurging nightfalls.
Why came you not, why sat you not...
To the One inviting you, why gave no response?
Who calls me in the language of songs?

O Lord, You went afar. With what magic
Do You bind me today? With what bond of flowers?
I am baffled and do not know what I should do.
I have decided to garland You.
Who calls me in the language of songs?

Translated from Bengali

HIYÁRA MÁJHÁRE NIIRAVA PRAHARE
KE GO D́EKE JÁY GÁNERA BHÁŚÁY
BALE ESO ESO PÁSHE BASO BASO
KENA DÚRE ÁCHO EI ABELÁY
KE GO D́EKE JÁY GÁNERA BHÁŚÁY

GECHE KATA KÁL RAUṊIINA SAKÁL
KATA SÁṊJHER BELÁ JIIVANE UTTÁL
KENA ÁSILE NÁ KENA BASILE NÁ
KENA NÁ SÁŔÁ DILE JE TAVA SÁŔÁ CÁY
KE GO D́EKE JÁY GÁNERA BHÁŚÁY

OGO DÚRAGATA E KONA MÁYÁY
PHULAD́ORE ÁJI BÁṊDHILE ÁMÁY
ETA DINE MOR HALO MAHÁ DÁY
E PHULAMÁLÁ TAVA PARÁBO GALÁY
KE GO D́EKE JÁY GÁNERA BHÁŚÁY

14-01-1983