Ruke Ruke se Qadam is a couplet from a ghazal by Mir Taqi Mir. Gulzar used the couplet to create his own poem in three films:

1. The original was used in a Bengali film called "Lal Pathor" (music by Salil Choudhary).

2. Then came the famous version from 'Mausam', which had another famous song, "Dil Dhoondhta hai" which is a couplet from a ghazal by Ghalib. Gulzar used the first three couplets of the ghazal below in that film. The music was by Madan Mohan.

3. Gulzar used the next four couplets in Shyam Benegal's "Mammo". The last couplet of the film was later removed from the film and so, it ended up with three. The music was by Vanraj Bhatia

रुके रुके से क़दम रुक के बार बार चले

रुके रुके से क़दम रुक के बार बार चले
क़रार लेके तेरे दर से बेक़रार चले

सुबह ना आई कई बार नींद से जागे
थी एक रात की ये ज़िंदगी गुज़ार चले

उठाये फिरते थे एह्सान दिल का सीने पर
ले तेरे क़दमों पे ये कर्ज़ भी उतार चले

ये फ़ासले तेरी गलियों के हमसे तय न हुए
हज़ार बार रुके हम हज़ार बार चले

न जाने कौन सी मट्टी वतन की मट्टी थी
नज़र में धूल जिगर में लिये ग़ुबार चले

ये कैसी सरहदें उलझी हुई हैं पैरों में
हम अपने घर की तरफ़ उठके बार बार चले

न रास्ता कहीं ठहरा न मंज़िलें ठहरीं
ये उम्र उड़ती हुई ग़र्द में गुज़ार चले

ruke ruke se qadam ruk ke baar baar chale

the following 3 couplets were used in Mausam

ruke ruke se qadam ruk ke baar baar chale
qaraar leke tere dar se beqaraar chale

qaraar = quietness, quiet, peace, tranquillity
beqarar = without qaraar

subah naa aa_ii ka_ii baar nii.nd se jaage
thii ek raat kii ye zi.ndagii guzaar chale

uThaaye phirate the ehsaan dil kaa siine par
le tere qadamo.n pe ye karz bhii utaar chale

The couplets below were used in 'Mammo'

ye faasale terii galiyo.n ke hamase tay na hue
hazaar baar ruke ham hazaar baar chale

na jaane kaun sii maTTii watan kii maTTii thii
nazar me.n dhuul jigar me.n liye Gubaar chale

jigar = The liver; the vitals; the heart; mind; spirit, courage
Gubaar = to pass, or pass away,' &c.), s.m. Dust; vexation, soreness, ill-feeling

ye kaisii sarahade.n ulajhii huii hai.n pairo.n me.n
ham apane ghar kii taraf uThake baar baar chale

sarhad = Boundary, boundary-line, frontier, confines

This couplet was removed from Mammo

na raastaa kahii.n Thaharaa na ma.nzile.n Thaharii.n
ye umra u.Datii huii Gard me.n guzaar chale

gard = revolving; traversing, travelling or wandering over