tamasha hai ki sab aazad qaumen

tamāshā hai ki sab āzād qaumeñ

bahī jaatī haiñ āzādī kī rau meñ

vo gard-e-kārvāñ ban ke chale haiñ

sitāre the ravāñ jin ke jilau meñ

safar kaisā faqat āvārgī hai

nahīñ manzil nigāh-e-rāh-rau meñ

hai soz-e-dil hī rāz-e-zindagānī

hayāt-e-sham.a hai sirf us kī lau meñ

bahut the ham-zabāñ lekin jo dekhā

na niklā ek bhī hamdard sau maiñ

'asad' saaqī kī hai dohrī ināyat

sharāb-e-kohna Daalī jām-e-nau meñ

tamasha hai ki sab aazad qaumen

bahi jati hain aazadi ki rau mein

wo gard-e-karwan ban ke chale hain

sitare the rawan jin ke jilau mein

safar kaisa faqat aawargi hai

nahin manzil nigah-e-rah-rau mein

hai soz-e-dil hi raaz-e-zindagani

hayat-e-shama hai sirf us ki lau mein

bahut the ham-zaban lekin jo dekha

na nikla ek bhi hamdard sau main

'asad' saqi ki hai dohri inayat

sharab-e-kohna Dali jam-e-nau mein