This is the English translation of the powerful Bengali bhakti bhajana “Kabe Habe Bolo Se Din Amar” by the great Vaisnava acharya, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur:

When, oh when will that day be mine?
When my offenses ceasing, taste for the name increasing, when in my heart will Your mercy shine? When, oh when will that day be mine?

Lower than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree, when will my mind attain this quality? Respectful to all, not expecting their honor, then shall I taste the name’s nectar sublime. When, oh when will that day be mine?

Great wealth or followers, feminine beauty, I won’t care for them or the comforts of my body. Birth after birth give me, O Lord Chaitanya, causeless devotion to Your feet divine. When, oh when will that day be mine?

When will I utter Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, with words choked up and shivering body? When will I be trembling all over, lose bodily color, tears pouring from my eyes? When, oh when will that day be mine?

When in Navadvipa along the Ganges bank, shouting “Gaura-Nityananda!” as a surrendered soul, dancing, chanting, running everywhere, when will I become half mad of mind? When, oh when will that day be mine?

When will Lord Nityananda show mercy upon me, and when will I reject the world of maya? Bestow unto me the shade of Your lotus feet, and let the right to preach the name be mine. When, oh when will that day be mine?

I will beg, borrow, or steal the nectar of the name. By the name’s effect I will feel paralyzed. O enjoyer of the nectar of the name, when will I touch Your lotus feet till the end of time? When, oh when will that day be mine?

When kindness to all beings will be appearing, with free heart forgetting my self-comforting, Bhaktivinoda in all humility prays, “Now I’ll set out to preach Your order sublime.” When, oh when will that day be mine?