نی سیّو اساں نیناں دے آکھے لگے
نی سیّو اساں نیناں دے آکھے لگے
نیناں دے آکھے لگے
نیناں دے آکھے لگے
نیناں دے آکھے لگے
سیّو اساں نیناں دے آکھے لگے
نی سیّو اساں نیناں دے آکھے لگے
۔۔۔
الاپ
آ (نی سیّو اساں نیناں دے آکھے لگے)
ہا (نی سیّو اساں نیناں دے آکھے لگے)
الاپ
نی سیّو اساں نیناں دے آکھے لگے

Overall Meaning

The song 'Sweet Pain' by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Michael Brook, with the repetitive lyrics 'Nee Sio Asaan Nainan De Aakhe Lagay', is a Sufi qawwali song that speaks about the pain of separation from the Divine. The use of the phrase 'Nainan de aakhe lagay' in Punjabi, which means 'the eyes of my soul have become attached', emphasizes the yearning of the soul to be reunited with the Divine. The word 'Sio' means 'sweet' in Punjabi and the use of the phrase 'Nee Sio Asaan' highlights the bittersweet experience of the soul in its separation from the divine, where the pain becomes sweet due to its intensity.

The repetitive nature of the lyrics serves to enhance the hypnotic effect of the melody, allowing listeners to be fully immersed in the poignant and mystical nature of the song. The use of traditional qawwali instrumentation, including harmonium, tabla, and hand claps, alongside Western electronic sounds, such as guitar and synthesizer, results in a unique fusion of Eastern and Western music.

The song's overall message of striving for spiritual union despite the pain of separation resonates not just within Sufi ideology, but also as a universal theme of the human experience. It is a reminder that amidst the struggles of life, the soul yearns for something greater, and that through devotion and surrender, one can find a sense of wholeness and peace.

Line by Line Meaning

نی سیّو اساں نیناں دے آکھے لگے
We are struck by the pain of separation from our beloved.

نیناں دے آکھے لگے
We are lost in the gaze of our beloved's eyes.

سیّو اساں نیناں دے آکھے لگے
Our eyes are fixated on the eyes of our beloved.

الاپ
Intense emotional pain that we cannot express in words.

آ (نی سیّو اساں نیناں دے آکھے لگے)
We are overcome with the pain of separation from our beloved.

ہا (نی سیّو اساں نیناں دے آکھے لگے)
Our sighs express the depth of our pain and longing for our beloved.

Writer(s): Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Michael Brook

Contributed by Declan W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

@patb5266

15w

Spectacular CD! In the 90's there was what was called "world music" and incredible artists like NFAK were shown to the western world. I bought this as soon as was released.

@nainasharma4670

36w↑1

Sakoon

@RaVenDaWn999

5y↑6

Perhaps it should be noted that this is an early fusion of the Qwaali (Kwaali) music of dissidence, illegal in many countries, I first found it when it was released and my friends in India and in Pakistan were elated about the "hook" bad ass hook it has, that Brooks, then listed as being from the UK, I was handed this first album a much slower pace, just Ali Khan, then came all the fusion, JOI, the Digital Underground and of course the full set of collaborations, I was fortunate to have asked for the most underground music as I do everywhere I travel, and the mixes are incredible. Many times I was told even once given Notice about the "noise" as being a disturbance, so much beauty and so much pain, how can any miss the substance. I have since been given many many albums to assess, the artists being oft mislisted, albeit on purpose. This was music that was illegal and could actually cause harm, jail or worse yet they played and gave rise to lifted spirits of change and reforms to come. My favorites perhaps the ADF (Asian Dub Foundation) and "Rafi's Revenge" names names and reminds me of LKJ (Linton Kwesi Johnson) whose songs also take that heavy stance, substance, such as few do anymore. This is what has always attracted me to music mostly, LKJ such as in "New World Order" brings back the times before the hairdoos meant more than the meanings, when the sales just carried away the beauty, and yet it will always come to be, many will ride the underground and changes will be influenced. To listen, please realize these fine musicians, were as revolutionary as any can be, including the risks inherent. Ahh, what do I know, only what the locals share with me, often at risk of arrest, and here we go on YT free, everything is free now, or is it.... the Pied Piper story comes to mind. Nevermind, I'm just slow, almost like the blues... and I thank you for posting.