We birds of the free sky (Hum panchi unmukt gagan ke)

A translation of the poem "Hum panchi unmukt gagan ke" by Shivmangal Singh "Suman".

Original (transliteration): Hum panchi unmukt gagan ke	An English lit translation: We birds of the free sky
Hum panchi unmukt gagan ke, Pinjar bandh na ga payenge Kanak-tiliyon se takrakar Pulkit pankh toot jayenge.	We birds of the free sky, In cages, we cannot sing. The gilded bars will break Each unfettered wing.
Hum bahta jal peenewale, Mar jayenge bhooke-pyaase Kahin bhali hai katuk nibori Kanak-katori ki maida se.	We who drink the flowing water Would rather die of hunger and thirst. Far better is the bitter berry Than flour in a bowl of gold-dust.
Swarn-shrinkhala ki bandhan mein Apni gati, udaan sab bhoole Bas sapnon mein dekh rahe hain Taru ke fungi par ke jhoole.	Tied in chains of gold, We've forgotten our flight, the breeze. Alas! In dreams alone we see The swings, on the twigs of trees.
Aise the armaan ki udte Neel gagan ki seema paane Lal kiran-si chonch khol Chugte tarak anar ke daane.	Our desires soared to reach Beyond the blueness of the skies. With beaks like reddish rays We chewed the starry grains of rice.
Hoti seemaheen kshitij se In pankhon ki horahori Ya toh kshitij milan ban jaata Ya tanti sanson ki dori	Against the endless horizon These wings would race with every breath. Oh, to be one with the infinite - Or embrace the stillness of death.
Need na hon, chahe tehni ka, Ashray chinn-bhinn kar dalo. Lekin pankh diye hain to Aakul udaan mein vign na dalo.	Take away my nest and bough, Destroy the shelters of my nights. But if I've been given these wings, Stop not my fervent flights.