Yes, our streets were dirty,
Maybe our homes were too!
But I can assure you,
Our minds were still clean!!
Yes, money was tight,
Yet life was so full!
There was no need for flight,
Train journeys were cool!!
Yes, the system was corrupt,
Yet people were good!
GDP was small,
But dreams were big!!
Yes, parents were strict,
Yet family was fun!
Even distant relatives
Still felt so close!!
Yes, the country was crowded,
Yet there was space for all!
Even strangers were kind,
With no hate to blind!!
Who cast the Evil Eye?
Who rolled the wrong die?
Why did we all leave
Our motherland so dry?
My father was born here,
My grandfather roamed here!
Even before gods arrived,
My ancestors prayed here!
And just like that, one fine day—
I no longer belong here …
Yes, the temple was not there,
But God was still there!
Love was in the streets,
Religion stayed at home!!
Yes, my country was not perfect,
But it was still mine!
Until you came to save us,
We were just fine!!