| "If you please, Rev Tevye, Pardon me, Rev Tevye," Posing problems that would cross a rabbi's eyes. La-de, la-de, la-la. And it won't make one bit of difference if I answer right or wrong, When you're rich, they think you really know. If I were rich, I'd have the time that I lack To sit in the synagogue and pray, And maybe have a seat by the Eastern Wall. And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men Seven hours every day. That would be the sweetest thing of all. If I were a rich man, Yaha-deeuh-deeuh-deeuh-deeuh-deeuh-deeuh-dum, All day long I'd biddy-biddy-bum, If I were a wealthy man. I wouldn't have to work hard, Yaha-deeuh-buua-buua-buua-deeba-deeba-dum Lord who made the lion and the lamb, You decreed I should be what I am. Would it spoil some vast eternal plan If I were a wealthy man? If I were a rich man Daidle, deedle daidle Digguh digguh deedle daidle dum All day long I'd biddy biddy bum if I were a wealthy man I wouldn't have to work hard daidle deedle daidle Digguh digguh deedle daidle dum If I were a biddy biddy rich Digguh digguh deedle daidle man I'd build a big tall house with rooms by the dozen Right in the middle of the town A fine tin roof with real wooden floors below There would be one long staircase just going up And one even longer coming down And one more leading nowhere just for show I'd fill my yard with chicks and turkeys and geese And ducks for the town to see and hear Squawking just as noisily as they can And each loud quack and cluck and gobble and honk Will land like a trumpet on the ear As if to say here lives a wealthy man If I were a rich man, etc. I see my wife, my Golde, looking like a rich man's wife With a proper double chin Supervising meals to her heart's delight I see her putting on airs and strutting like a peacock Oh what a happy mood she's in Screaming at the servants day and night. The most important men in town will come to fawn on me They will ask me to advise them like Solomon the wise "If you please, Reb Tevye ... Pardon me, Reb Tevye ..." Posing problems that would cross a rabbi's eyes. (He chants) And it won't make one bit of difference if i answer right or wrong When you're rich they think you really know. If I were rich I'd have the time that I lack to sit in the synagogue and pray And maybe have a seat by the eastern wall And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men Seven hours every day This would be the sweetest thing of all ... (sigh) If I were a rich man Daidle deedle daidle Digguh digguh deedle daidle dum All day long I'd biddy biddy bum If I were a wealthy man Wouldn't have to work hard Daidle deedle daidle Digguh deedle daidle dum..... Lord, who made the lion and the lamb You decreed I should be what i am Would it spoil some vast, eternal plan ... If I were a wealthy man? |
| SABBATH PRAYER May the Lord protect and defend you, May He always shield you from shame, May you come to be in years full well a shining name. May you be like Ruth and like Esther, May you be deserving of praise, Strengthen them o Lord and keep them from the stranger's way. May God bless you and grant you long life (may the Lord fulfill our sabbath prayer for you), May God make you good mothers and wives (may He send you husbands who will care for you). May the Lord protect and defend you, May the Lord preserve you from pain, Favor them o Lord with happiness and peace, O hear our sabbath prayer, Amen. |
| TO LIFE Here's to our prosperity, our good health and happiness, and most important ... To life, to life, la kayim, La kayim, la kayim, to life, Here's to the father I tried to be, Here's to my bride-to-be, Drink la kayim, to life, To life, la kayim, La kayim, la kayim, to life, Life has a way of confusing us, Blessing and bruising us, Drink la kayim, to life! God would like us to be joyful, even when our hearts lie panting on the floor. How much more can we be joyful, when there's really something to be joyful for? To life, to life, la kayim, To Tzeitel, my daughter--my wife, It gives you something to think about, Something to drink about, Drink la kayim, to life! (Le Morta! Yes, Lazar Wolf? Drinks for everyone! What's the occasion? I'm taking myself a bride! Who is it? Tevye's eldest, Tzeitel!) To Lazar Wolf-- To Tevye! To Tzeitel, your daughter--my wife! May all your futures be pleasant ones, Not like our present ones, Drink la kayim, to life, To life, la kayim, La kayim, la kayim, to life, It takes a wedding to make us say, "Let's live another day," Drink la kayim, to life! We'll raise a glass and sip a drop of schnapps in honor of the great good luck that favors you, We know that when good fortune favors two such men, it stands to reason, we deserve it too! To us and our good fortune! Be happy, be healthy, long life! And if our good fortune never comes, Here's to whatever comes, Drink la kayim, to life! Heaven bless you both, to your health and may we live together in peace! May you both be favored with the future of your choice, May you live to see a thousand reasons to rejoice! We'll raise a glass and sip a drop of schnapps in honor of the great good luck that favors you, We know that when good fortune favors two such men, it stands to reason, we deserve it too! To us and our good fortune! Be happy, be healthy, long life! And if our good fortune never comes,Here's to whatever comes, Drink la kayim, to life! |