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Jallikattu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Yaeriyil Oru

From Jallikattu · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Jallikattu
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
14 Dec 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Yaelaelo hea yaelaelo hea
Yaelo yaelo yaelo ailasaa….
Yaeriyil oru oodam oodam
Oodaththil oru paadam paadam….
Oodaththin maela neeyum paadaththai kelu raja
Kettuttu paadu yaelo ailasaa….
Yaeriyil oru oodam oodam
Oodaththil oru paadam paadam….
Ellaththaiyum aandavan padaichchaa
Ellaarukkum nirangala koduththaan
Vendaathatha jeyilula adaichchaan
Aagaathatha azhuththiyum pudichchaan
Thappu sanja podhu thandanai thappaathu
Theerppu onna thedi vanthathu ippothu
Aattu kutti aaththai thaandi
Oodi poga mudiyaathu
Veettu kozhi paattu paadi
Kaala neram vidiyaathu
Chinnappaa yaei ennappaa
Nee ullatha sollappaa sollappaa
Haei….yaeriyil oru oodam oodam
Oodaththil oru paadam paadam….
Oodaththin maela neeyum paadaththai kelu raja
Kettuttu paadu yaelo ailasaa….
Yaeriyil oru oodam oodam
Oodaththil oru paadam paadam….
Vellaamaikku velaiyum irukku
Vellaattukku vedhanai edhukku
Ellaam antha aandavan poruppu
Yaemaanthathum yaen intha veruppu
Kettu pogum pothu kattuppaadu podu
Buththi solli paaththen naanum romba naalu
Paadhai maarum kaalgal ellaam
Ooru poyi saerathu
Paavam parithaabam paaththaal
Onna maaththa mudiyaathu
Chinnappaa yaei ennappaa
Nee ullatha sollappaa sollappaa aa….
Haei….yaeriyil oru oodam oodam
Oodaththil oru paadam paadam….
Oodaththin maela neeyum paadaththai kelu raja
Kettuttu paadu yaelo ailasaa….
Yaeriyil oru oodam oodam
Oodaththil oru paadam paadam….
Elelo hey, elelo hey
Elo elo elo ailasa...
There is a boat on the lake, a boat
And in the boat, there is a lesson, a lesson
Listen to the lesson on this boat, my friend
Listen to it and sing, elo ailasa...
There is a boat on the lake, a boat
And in the boat, there is a lesson, a lesson...
God created everything in this world
He gave each person their own true colors
He locked away the wicked in prison
He pinned down and trapped what is bad
When you do wrong, you cannot escape punishment
The judgment has come looking for you now
A little lamb crossing the river
Can never run away and escape
Just because a house hen crows
The day will not break before its time
Hey Chinnappa, what is the matter?
Speak the honest truth, speak up!
Hey... there is a boat on the lake, a boat
And in the boat, there is a lesson, a lesson...
Listen to the lesson on this boat, my friend
Listen to it and sing, elo ailasa...
There is a boat on the lake, a boat
And in the boat, there is a lesson, a lesson...
The crops have a fence around them
Why should the goat feel sorrow over it?
Everything is in God's hands
Why this bitterness after being deceived?
Set your limits before you go astray
I tried giving you good advice for so many days
Feet that wander off the right path
Will never reach their destination
If I show pity and sympathy
I can never reform your ways
Hey Chinnappa, what is the matter?
Speak the honest truth, speak up, ah...
There is a boat on the lake, a boat
And in the boat, there is a lesson, a lesson...
Listen to the lesson on this boat, my friend
Listen to it and sing, elo ailasa...
There is a boat on the lake, a boat
And in the boat, there is a lesson, a lesson... Hey!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Yaeriyil Oru Oodam' is a folk-infused philosophical song from the film Jallikattu (1987), structured around a traditional boatman's rhythmic chant ('Ailasa'). Set on a lake, the boat ride serves as a metaphor for life's journey, delivering moral lessons on truth, cosmic justice, and personal accountability. The lyrics emphasize that no evil act goes unpunished and that divine justice eventually catches up with everyone.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ellaththaiyum aandavan padaichchaa / Ellaarukkum nirangala koduththaan

The second consonant sound 'll' (ல்) rhymes in consecutive lines (Ellaththaiyum / Ellaarukkum).

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Paavam parithaabam paaththaal

Repetition of the initial letter 'P' (ப்) sound creates a rhythmic sound play.

Metaphor / Folk Proverb

Veettu kozhi paattu paadi kaala neram vidiyaathu

A rural proverb/metaphor stating that a rooster's crow doesn't force the sun to rise; reality and divine timing are independent of human pretense.

Keep listening

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