What’s the story?
The lyrics to Jinder Mahal’s latest theme song, “Sher (Lion),” have been translated from Punjabi to English.
The translation comes from Reddit user K_in_Oz, who has translated both verses and the chorus of the WWE Champion’s theme song.
In case you didn’t know...
Mahal signed with the WWE in 2010 and debuted on SmackDown in 2011. Mahal’s first theme song, “Main Yash Hun,” was created by Jim Johnston and would remain his theme song until Mahal, Drew McIntyre, and Heath Slater formed the group 3MB.
Mahal has become the focal point of SmackDown in the last few weeks following his unexpected victory in the number one contender’s match for the WWE Championship. Mahal solidified his main event push by defeating Randy Orton at Backlash to become the 50th WWE Champion in history.
The heart of the matter
The Maharaja’s current theme song was also created by Johnston and has been used since Mahal’s return to the WWE in 2016.
The following are the Punjabi lyrics to his latest theme song:
Verse 1:
Yeah, uh, uh
Oh Sadi shan vekho, Man sman vekho,
Punjabi munday jinviay khari ay chatan vekho
Sadi pechan vekho, jang da maidan vekho
Khauf day sehmay very kinvay nay haran vekho
Ki ay majal very mohray akay khangay kaira
Jithay to rehna apa desin da hega daira
Dilan ch vehm kado, chotay dilasay chado
Shan-e Punjab tuadi nagri da landa gaira
Maut vi akhan ch akhan pa kay vay khaun khaof
Mai da lal kaira jaira sanu pavay rok
Phailay tubahi jithay bumb sutay sadi qaum
Choti umar to hi khatray day palay shooq
Kissay to dar janva, ay jind jeenda nai
Khoon da pyasa ho, hor koi sher penda nai
Sutlaj beas, tay jehlum to lay ravi, chanab
Nasan ch venday mil ban kay roh e punjab
Chorus: x 2
Punjabi Munday jithay jaan uthay cha jaan
Vadi to vadi vekho mushkalan karan asan
Shairan di qaum apa, shairan di qaum apa
Shairan di qaum saday hoslay rehnday mahan
Verse 2:
Sheran di ik din, Gedar day dus sal
Tu hunda pari bara sheran da ik war
Punjabi munda main punjabiyan di shan haaan
Punjabi maan smaan da hanuman haan
Sidha mara hathora , qasar koi na main choraan
Hadi tay hadi tora, karan main ailan haan
Jinay nay veri saray rakho meri gal yaad
Punjabi munda kar denay saray bairay par
Kissay tu darday nai, oh pichan hatday nai
Jinni vi aokho thanva, par kadi talday nai
Purana papi main, khiladi main, anari tu
Karan sardari main, shikari main, beqari tu
Meray tu sikho kinvay sheran vango jini jind
Sarkar Raj,sardari meri panj pind
Gardan katadaan par sir na kadi jhukanva
Betha tayar boti boti tuadi nooch khanva
Chorus: x2
The following is the translation of those lyrics from Punjabi to English:
Verse 1:
See our grace, our traditions and pride
We are Punjabi, and see how we stand in your way like a mountain
See how we get recognized for our bravery in any battle ground
See how the enemies fear us and cry out
Who dares to come and stand in our way
Cause the place where they live has our army
So forget all the delusions you have in mind, and stop giving yourselves false hopes
When Punjabi pride comes down your road and you are helpless
Even death fears when it looks in to the eyes of a Punjabi
No mother has given birth to a child that can stop me
The aftermath is fatal where Punjabis rock your place
We grow up playing with danger since childhood
Don't be mistaken to think that I ever get scared of anything
I have thirst of blood and I don't drink nothing else
5 rivers ,Sutlaj, Beas, Jhelum, Ravi, Chanab
Flow in my veins as the spirit of Punjab
Chorus: x 2
Punjabi Boys rule wherever we go
The biggest of difficulties we deal with ease
We are the Nation of Lions,
We are the Nation of Lions,
Our spirits will rise!
Verse 2:
One day as a Lion is better than 10 years as a jackal
Jackals can attack 100 times but a lion's single attack is fatal
I am a proud Punjabi and I am the pride of the Punjabis
I have pride and honour as great as Hanuman
My attack is deadly when I hit you with the warhammer
I break bones and I challenge you to step up to me once to find out what happens next
All you haters remember this
This Punjabi will defeat you all
We fear none, we never back down
No matter how difficult the path- we never back out
I am a gangster, I'm a player, you're a rookie
Learn from me how to live like a Lion
Sarkar Raj! (this is a movie) I rule all the towns
I rule the world, I m a hustler, you are a beggar
I would rather be beheaded then bow down
Let me remind you of my visciousness
I will eat you like Lions eats flesh!
Chorus 2x
What’s next?
The WWE could’ve replaced the theme song for Mahal weeks ago if they wished, so it’s likely he will keep his current theme going forward.
The lyrics for Sher (Lion) have some pretty intense wording; referencing beheadings, lions devouring flesh and more. If the actual song was in English, it’s doubtful whether the WWE would allow Mahal to use it.
Author’s Take
Mahal’s theme without the translation had a nice flow to it, but the context of the lyrics makes the song that much better.
If Mahal ever incorporates some of the wording in his theme song into some of his promos, he’ll definitely turn some heads on SmackDown Live.
