You speak English slowly, like I would understand

Maybe you expect the world to bow to your tongue

If I spoke Tamil slowly, would you understand?

The way you spread it around, something underhand

Not enough air to explain, not in either lung

You speak English slowly, like I would understand

Beautiful Thanjavur of my clan, fertile land

Once the Chola capital whose praises were sung

If I spoke Tamil slowly, would you understand?

The East India Company, that merry band

Raided the land, my suffering people? Just flung!

You speak English slowly, like I would understand

Tamil poetry, such wealth, I hold in my hand

Sounds so rich, so melodious, the best pearls strung

If I spoke Tamil slowly, would you understand?

Where did we go wrong? Was it the floral garland?

We saw friends, little did we expect to be stung

You speak English slowly, like I would understand

If I spoke Tamil slowly, would you understand?