Roger! Kee jaana mein kaun

One of my favorite all-time English songs is, "The Logical Song" by Supertramp - originally, a British rock group of the 70s. Their lead singer/keyboard player, Roger Hodgson, wrote this beautiful song and provided the vocals, as well. Many others have tried to sing this song, but none have been able to match Roger’s unique voice and style.

I was attracted to the lyrics of this song, immediately, when I first heard it as a kid. I was never quite sure, why.

Later in life, I would, once again immediately, be attracted to the lyrics of another bit of poetry. This time by my my favorite Punjabi/Sariaki poet, Bulleh Shah - Bulleh! kee jaana mein kaun. Once again, I was never quite able to figure out why.

Two songs, in two completely different languages. I can listen to them for hours.

However, yesterday as I was listening to Roger’s live recording of this song in Montreal, 2006, I realized how similar his lyrics are to what Bulleh Shah wrote 220 years earlier. Perhaps my attraction is because both relate to my views on life.

Bulleh Shah’s lyrics describe a the self-critical questions of a somewhat confused soul on a voyage of self-discovery; trying to figure out his position in the world and the meaning of life, itself. Roger Hodgson’s lyrics describe a similar voyage of cynical self-discovery, through the loss of innocence of a child, as he grows up and discovers the duplicities and double-standards of the world.

The similarities in ideas being expressed, by both Bulleh Shah and Roger Hodgson is remarkable. In the middle of his song, Roger sings, “There are times when all the world’s asleep……….The questions run too deep……….For such a simple man,” asking questions similar to Bulleh Shah’s long list of questions.

In the next stanza of his song, Roger gives an exact description of Bulleh Shah, when he sings “Now watch what you say or they’ll be calling you a radical ……Liberal …..Fanatical ……Criminal" - names given to Bulleh Shah during his times.

And, of course, at the end of his song, during his live performances, Roger screams out the words, which are almost a literal translations of what Bulleh Shah wrote centuries ago, “Won’t you please, please tell me what we’ve learned….I know it sounds absurd…..But please tell me who I am.”

“Please tell me who I am?” ………… “Keen jaana mein kaun?” Centuries, continents, cultures and languages apart. So different, yet so much the same.

Thirty years on, Roger Hodgson still performs live solos of this song; as only he can. Following is a link to live performance of this song from Montreal, last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2yXB9IzfSw&mode=related& amp;search=

Bulleh Shah’s song has been sung beautifully by many singers, as well. The Indian singer Rabbi Shergil’s rendition, being the best in my opinion. The video is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTxZy32Fv_0

The lyrics of both songs are given below:

1. The Logical Song (by Roger Hodgson)

When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful,
A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical.
And all the birds in the trees, well they’d be singing so happily,
Joyfully, playfully watching me.
But then they send me away to teach me how to be sensible,
Logical, responsible, practical.
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable,
Clinical, intellectual, cynical.

There are times when all the worlds asleep,
The questions run too deep
For such a simple man.
Wont you please, please tell me what we’ve learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am.

Now watch what you say or theyll be calling you a radical,
Liberal, fanatical, criminal.
Wont you sign up your name, wed like to feel you’re
Acceptable, respecable, presentable, a vegtable!

At night, when all the worlds asleep,
The questions run so deep
For such a simple man.
Wont you please, please tell me what we’ve learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am.

2. Keen Jaana mein kaun (by Bulleh Shah)

Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun

Na maen momin vich maseet aan
Na maen vich kufar diyan reet aan
Na maen paakaan vich paleet aan
Na maen moosa na pharaun.

Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun

Na maen andar ved kitaab aan,
Na vich bhangaan na sharaab aan
Na vich rindaan masat kharaab aan
Na vich jaagan na vich saun.

Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun.

Na vich shaadi na ghamnaaki
Na maen vich paleeti paaki
Na maen aabi na maen khaki
Na maen aatish na maen paun

Bulleh!, ki jaana maen kaun

Na maen arabi na lahori
Na maen hindi shehar nagauri
Na hindu na turak peshawri
Na maen rehnda vich nadaun

Bulla, ki jaana maen kaun

Na maen bheth mazhab da paaya
Ne maen aadam havva jaaya
Na maen apna naam dharaaya
Na vich baitthan na vich bhaun

Bulleh , ki jaana maen kaun

Avval aakhir aap nu jaana
Na koi dooja hor pehchaana
Maethon hor na koi siyaana
Bulla! ooh khadda hai kaun

Bulla, ki jaana maen kaun