Where Was I

O Mother, Can you tell me mother, where was I? From which unknown land did I come to your lap? Before I became yours, did you stare at the moon and ask Is that my child who left home? Did you tell the evening star Come down to me, You will look even prettier on my lap? When you went bathing in the Lotus pond Did you see my reflection on the flower? Did you burst into tears? When tide came and filled the river Did I jump to your bosom without anyone knowing? Did I come as splashing wave bringing love? During the storm, did you think there goes my restless boy? But he sure will be a good boy when he becomes mine. As you would carry the lamp to the 'Tulshi' alter It would be flickering to blow off You would try to protect the flame with your sari Would the goddess tell you by playing flute The smile of your boy will light up your life? Would the god tell you that in return to your devotion I will come to you as your baby boy And will be yours forever? I don't understand, mother Why do I feel so restless! As if the sky, the wind, the world around They all call upon me and tell me Just the other day you were mine, you were on my lap The cloud, the lightning and thunder, they all call my name The sky says, I bow down just to touch you Just the other day you were a bird Flying high in the blue sky The wind gently caresses my cheek and tells me You are mine, come to my bosom I search for you in scattered flower As I turn off the lamp and see you I wonder, is this my restless boy? The flame tells me I look for you from room to room, becoming a lantern Wherever I see a little boy, I think that is my boy As the river calls me I jump into the river The waves cuddle me with gentle caresses and talks to me The sky, the open field, the entire world Call upon me to jump into their bosom from beyond the sky As if the entire world is my mother's lap The entire world sways me on its lap with love O mother, as the bird flies high into the blue sky The next moment it wants to return to its nest Just like that I wonder around the world in my dream Then I realize, mother, I love you the most Your love surrounds the entire world You make me dance, you make me play on your lap Tell me mother; tell me that my dream is true O mother, why are you then crying?