The Palanquin-Bearers

Black, black palanquin-bearers Chewing paan into their mouth And with the red lips Taking the palanquin away Over their shoulders And the small countrified bride, Girl bride sitting over Into the ghumta Going to an unknown destination And the carriers singing, Singing the song To lessen the journey of the way And fatigue, Black, black palanquin-bearers With the small daughter As the child bride Going her in-laws' house. With the small wooden doli, Palalquin over the shoulders The bearers bearing and taking away, Away the bitia, small countrified childish daughter As the child bride to her father-in-law's house, The small daughter as the bride Unaware of marriage to an unknown destination The carriers, the palanquin-carriers Singing the song, Bearing the way long journey and fatigue Black, black palanquin-bearers Singing the song And going With the doli, small doli Over the sholders With a small little village bride Cloy and shy.