Fiddler on the Roof (OLC1967)

GOLDE: A little bit of this A little bit of that. YENTE: A pot, MORDCHA A pan, LAZAR A broom, MENDEL A hat. TEVYE (Spoken) Someone should have set a match to this place years ago. AVRAM A bench, a tree. LAZAR So, what's a stove? Or a house? TEVYE People who pass through Anatevka don't even know they've been here. YENTE A stick of wood. A piece of cloth. ALL CAST What do we leave? Nothing much. Only Anatevka. Anatevka, Anatevka. Underfed, overworked Anatevka. Where else could Sabbath be so sweet? Anatevka, Anatevka. Intimate, obstinate Anatevka, Where I know everyone I meet. Soon I'll be a stranger in a strange new place, Searching for an old familiar face From Anatevka. I belong in Anatevka, Tumble-down, work-a-day Anatevka. Dear little village, little town of mine TEVYE (spoken) Come children. Let's leave this place.

How can I hope to make you unterstand Why I do, what I do, Why I must travel to a distant land Far from the home I love? Once I was happily content to be As I was, where I was Close to the people who are close to me Here in the home I love... Who could see that a man would come Who would change the shapes of my dreams? Helpless, now, I stand with him Wtaching older dreams grow dim. Oh, what a melancholy choice this is, Wanting home, wanting him, Closing my heart to every hope but his, Leaving the home I love. There were my heart has settled long ago I must go, I must go. Who could imagine I'd be wand'ring so Far from the home I love? Yet, there with my love, I'm home.

TEVYE "Golde, I have decided to give Perchik permission to become engaged to our daughter, Hodel." GOLDE "What??? He's poor! He has nothing, absolutely nothing!" TEVYE "He's a good man, Golde. I like him. And what's more important, Hodel likes him. Hodel loves him. So what can we do? It's a new world... A new world. Love. Golde..." Do you love me? GOLDE Do I what? TEVYE Do you love me? GOLDE Do I love you? With our daughters getting married And this trouble in the town You're upset, you're worn out Go inside, go lie down! Maybe it's indigestion TEVYE "Golde I'm asking you a question..." Do you love me? GOLDE You're a fool TEVYE "I know..." But do you love me? GOLDE Do I love you? For twenty-five years I've washed your clothes Cooked your meals, cleaned your house Given you children, milked the cow After twenty-five years, why talk about love right now? TEVYE Golde, The first time I met you Was on our wedding day I was scared GOLDE I was shy TEVYE I was nervous GOLDE So was I TEVYE But my father and my mother Said we'd learn to love each other And now I'm asking, Golde Do you love me? GOLDE I'm your wife TEVYE "I know..." But do you love me? GOLDE Do I love him? For twenty-five years I've lived with him Fought him, starved with him Twenty-five years my bed is his If that's not love, what is? TEVYE Then you love me? GOLDE I suppose I do TEVYE And I suppose I love you too BOTH It doesn't change a thing But even so After twenty-five years It's nice to know

PERCHIK i used to tell myself, that i had everything, but that was only half true, i had an aim in life, and that was eveyrthing, but now i even have you. i have, something that i would die for, something that i would live for too- yes! now i have everything, not only everything, i have a little bit more besides haviing everything, i know what everything's for. i used to wonder "could there be a wife?" to share such a difficult, wand'ring kind of life. HODEL i was on the outer side, waiting right here. PERCHIK who knows tomorrow where our home will be. HODEL i'll be with you and that's home enough for me. PERCHIK everything is right at hand. BOTH simple and clear. PERCHIK i have something that i would die for, someone that i would live for too! yes! now i have evyerthing! not only everything, i have a little bit more besides having everything, i know what everything's for

A fiddler on the roof se estrenó en su versión teatral en Broadway en el año 1964, con Zero Mostel como protagonista. Estaba basada en una novela del escritor ruso Sholom Aleichem, titulada Las hijas de Tevye. La producción londinense se estrenó en 1967 en Her Majestic Theatre, con Miriam Karlin (Golde) y Chaim Topol (Tevye) quien protagonizaría el mismo papel en el film de 1971.

TEVYE Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play? GOLDE I don't remember growing older When did they? TEVYE When did she get to be a beauty? When did he grow to be so tall? GOLDE Wasn't it yesterday When they were small? MEN Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset Swiftly flow the days Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers Blossoming even as we gaze WOMEN Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset Swiftly fly the years One season following another Laden with happiness and tears TEVYE What words of wisdom can I give them? How can I help to ease their way? GOLDE Now they must learn from one another Day by day PERCHIK They look so natural together HODEL Just like two newlyweds should be PERCHIK AND HODEL Is there a canopy in store for me? ALL Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset Swiftly fly the years One season following another Laden with happiness and tears

TEVYE (spoken) All right, only... don't be frightened! In the beginning I dreamt that we were having a celebration of some kind. Everybody we knew was there. Musicians too. Suddenly, in comes your grandma Tzietl, may she rest in peace. Naturally, I went up to greet her, and she said: (sung) [GRANDMA TZEITL] A blessing on your head (Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov) To see a daughter wed (Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov) And such a son-in-law Like no-one ever saw The tailor Motel Camzoil [GOLDE] (spoken) Motel? [GRANDMA TZEITL] (sung) A worthy boy is he (Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov) Of pious family (Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov) They named him after my Dear uncle Mordachai The tailor Motel Camzoil (spoken) [GOLDE] A tailor? She must have heard wrong. She meant a butcher. (sung) [TEVYE] You must have heard wrong Grandma There's no tailor You mean the butcher Grandma By the name of Lazer Wolf [GRANDMA TZEITL] Noooo! I mean a tailor Tevye My great-grandchild My little Tzietl who you named for me Motel's bride was meant to be! For such a match I prayed (Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov) In heaven it was made (Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov) A fine upstanding boy A comfort and a joy The tailor Motel Camzoil (spoken) [GOLDE] But we announced it already! We made a bargain with the butcher! (sung) [TEVYE] But we announced it Grandma To our neighbors We made a bargain Grandma With the butcher Lazer Wolf [GRANDMA TZEITL] Noooo No! So you announced it Tevye That's your headache And as for Lazer Wolf I say to you Tevye, that's your headache too! [CHORUS] A blessing on your house Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov Imagine such a spouse Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov And such a son-in-law Like no-one ever saw The tailor Motel Camzoil [TEVYE] (spoken) But he's a butcher! [CHORUS] (sung) The tailor Motel Camzoil [TEVYE] (spoken) His name is Lazer Wolf [CHORUS] (sung) The tailor Motel Camzoil Tevye: The tailor Motel Camzoil [CHORUS] Sha! Sha! Look who is this? Who is this? Who comes here? Who Who Who Who What woman is this? By righteous and is shaking Could it be? Sure! Yes it could! Why not? Who could be mistaken? It's the butcher's wife come from beyond the grave It's the butcher's dear, darling, departed wife Fruma Sarah Fruma Sarah Fruma Sarah Fruma Sarah Fruma Sarah Fruma Sarah Fruma Sarah [FRUMA SARAH] Tevye!! Tevye!!!!! What is this about your daughter marrying my husband? [CHORUS] He's her husband! [FRUMA SARAH] Would you do this to your friend and neighbor Fruma Sarah? (Fruma Sarah!) Have you no consideration for a woman's feelings? (Woman's feelings!) Handing over my belongings to a total stranger! (Total stranger!) How? How can you let your daughter to take my place? Live in my house Carry my keys And wear my clothes Pearls How? [CHORUS] How can you allow your daughter to take her place? (Pearls!) House! (Pearls!) Keys! (Pearls) Clothes (Pearls!) How? [FRUMA SARAH] Such a learned man as Tevye wouldn't let it happen! (Let it happen!) Tell me that it isn't tue and then I wouldn't worry! (Wouldn't worry!) Say you didn't give your blessing to your daughter's marriage (Daughter's marriage) Let me tell you what would follow such a fatal wedding (fatal wedding!) If Tzietl marries Lazer Wolf I pity them both! She'd live with him three weeks And when three weeks are up I'll come to her by night I'll take her by the throat and This I'll give your Tzietl That I'll give your Tzietl This I'll give your Tzietl That I'll give your Tzietl Here's my wedding present if she marries Lazer Wolf [CHORUS AND TEVYE SCREAM] [GOLDE] Aye Aye Aye Aye It's a dark and evil spirit!Let it fall into the river, let it sink into the earth! Such a dark and horrible dream! And to think, it was brought on by that butcher! If my grandma Tzietl, may she rest in peace, Took the time to come all the way from the other world to tell us About the tailor all I can say is that it's for the best. And couldn't possibly be any better. Amen. (sung) GOLDE A blessing on my head Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov My Grandma Tzietl said Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov We'll have a son-in-law...

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles- God took up Daniel once again, Stood by his and side and- miracle of miracles- Walked him through the lions den! Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles- I was afraid that God would frown, But like he did so long ago, at Jericho, God just made a wall fall down! When Moses softened Pharaohs heart, that was a miracle. When God made the waters of the red sea part, that was a miracle too! But of all God's miracles large and small, The most miraculous one of all Is that out of a worthless lump of clay, God has made a man today. Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles- God took the tailor by the hand Turned him around and- miracle of miracles- Led him to the promised land! When David slew Goliath (yes!), that was a miracle. When God gave us matter in the wilderness, that was a miracle too. But of all God's miracles large and small, The most miraculous one of all Is the one I thought could never be: God has given you to me.

[MEN] 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!

[MOTHERS AND FATHERS] May the Lord protect and defend you. May He always shield you from shame. May you come to be In Israel a shining name. May you be like Ruth and like Esther. May you be deserving of praise. Strengthen them, Oh Lord, And keep them from the strangers' ways. May God bless you and grant you long lives. (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, Oh Lord, with happiness and peace. Oh, hear our Sabbath prayer. Amen.

TEVYE Dear God, you made many, many poor people. I realize, of course, that it's no shame to be poor. But it's no great honor either! So, what would have been so terrible if I had a small fortune? SUNG: If I were a rich man, Ya ha deedle deedle, didle didle deedle deedle dum. All day long I'd biddy biddy bum. If I were a wealthy man. I wouldn't have to work hard. Ya ha deedle deedle, didle didle deedle deedle dum. If I were a biddy biddy rich, Yidle-diddle-didle-didle 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. Squaking just as noisily as they can. And each loud "cheep" and "swaqwk" and "honk" and "quack" Would land like a trumpet on the ear, As if to say "Here lives a wealthy man." If I were a rich man, Ya ha deedle deedle, didle didle deedle deedle dum. All day long I'd biddy biddy bum. If I were a wealthy man. I wouldn't have to work hard. Ya ha deedle deedle, didle didle deedle deedle dum. If I were a biddy biddy rich, Yidle-diddle-didle-didle man. 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. Oy, what a happy mood she's in. Screaming at the servants, day and night. The most important men in town would come to fawn on me! They would ask me to advise them, Like a Solomon the Wise. "If you please, Reb Tevye..." "Pardon me, Reb Tevye..." Posing problems that would cross a rabbi's eyes! 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, several hours every day. That would be the sweetest thing of all. If I were a rich man, Ya ha deedle deedle, didle didle deedle deedle dum. All day long I'd biddy biddy bum. If I were a wealthy man. I wouldn't have to work hard. Ya ha deedle deedle, didle didle deedle deedle 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!

HODEL Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make me a match, Find me a find, catch me a catch Matchmaker, Matchmaker Look through your book, And make me a perfect match CHAVA Matchmaker, Matchmaker, I'll bring the veil, You bring the groom, Slender and pale. Bring me a ring for I'm longing to be, The envy of all I see. HODEL For Papa, Make him a scholar. CHAVA For mama, Make him rich as a king. CHAVA AND HODEL For me, well, I wouldn't holler If he were as handsome as anything. Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make me a match, Find me a find, Catch me a catch, Night after night in the dark I'm alone So find me match, Of my own. (spoken) TZEITEL Since when are you in a match, Chava? I thought you had your eye on your books. (Hodel chuckles) TZEITEL con't: And you have your eye on the Rabbi's son. HODEL Well, why not? We have only one Rabbi and he has only one son. Why shouldn't I want the best? TZEITEL Because you're a girl from a poor family. So whatever Yenta brings, you'll take, right? Of course right! (throws scarf over her head, imitating Yenta) (singing) Hodel, oh Hodel, Have I made a match for you! He's handsome, he's young! Alright, he's 62. But he's a nice man, a good catch, true? True. I promise you'll be happy, And even if you're not, There's more to life than that--- Don't ask me what. Chava, I found him. Won't you be a lucky bride! He's handsome, he's tall, That is from side to side. But he's a nice man, a good catch, right? Right. You heard he has a temper. He'll beat you every night, But only when he's sober, So you'll alright. Did you think you'd get a prince? Well I do the best I can. With no dowry, no money, no family background Be glad you got a man! CHAVA Matchmaker, Matchmaker, You know that I'm Still very young. Please, take your time. HODEL Up to this minute, I misunderstood That I could get stuck for good. CHAVA AND HODEL Dear Yenta, See that he's gentle Remember, You were also a bride. It's not that I'm sentimental CHAVA HODEL AND TZEITEL It's just that I'm terrified! Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Plan me no plans I'm in no rush Maybe I've learned Playing with matches A girl can get burned So, Bring me no ring Groom me no groom Find me no find Catch me no catch Unless he's a matchless match.

TEVYE A fiddler on the roof... Sounds crazy, no? But here, in our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof. Trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn't easy. You may ask, why do we stay up there if it's so dangerous? Well, we stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word! Tradition! Tradition, Tradition, Tradition Tradition, Tradition, Tradition Because of our traditions, we've kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Anatevka, we have traditions for everything. How to sleep. How to eat. How to work. How to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered, and always wear a little prayer shawl. This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, how did this tradition get started? I'll tell you. I don't know. But it's a tradition. And because of our traditions, every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do. TEVYE & PAPAS Who, day and night, must scramble for a living Feed a wife and children Say his daily prayers? And who has the right as master of the house To have the final word at home? The papa, The papa, Tradition The papa, The papa, Tradition GOLDE & MAMAS Who must know the way to make a proper home A quiet home A kosher home? Who must raise a family and run the home So Papa's free to read the Holy Book? The mama, The mama, Tradition The mama, The mama, Tradition SONS At three, I started Hebrew school. At ten, I learned a trade. I hear they've picked a bride for me. I hope she's pretty. The son, the son! Tradition! The son, the son! Tradition! DAUGHTERS And who does Mama teach to mend and tend and fix, Preparing me to marry whoever Papa picks? The daughter, the daughter! Tradition! The daughter, the daughter! Tradition! At three I started Hebrew school At ten I learned a trade I hear they picked a bride for me I hope she's pretty And who does Mama teach To mend and tend and fix? Preparing her to marry Whoever Papa picks The daughters The daughters Tradition The papa Mama Sons The daughters Tradition And in the circle of our little village, we've always had our special types. For instance, Yente, the matchmaker, Reb Nachum, the beggar. And, most important of all, our beloved rabbi. Rabbi, may I ask you a question? Certainly, Leibesh. Is there a proper blessing... for the Tzar? A blessing for the Tzar? Of course. May God bless and keep the Tzar far away from us! Dai dai dai dai Dai dai dai dai Dai dai dai dai Dai dai dai dai dai Dai dai dai dai Dai dai dai dai Dai dai dai dai Dai dai dai dai dai Then there are the others in our village. They make a much bigger circle. We don't bother them and so far, they don't bother us. And among ourselves, we always get along perfectly well. Of course, there was the time when he sold him a horse. He told him it was only six years old when it was really . But now it's all over. And we all live in simple peace and harmony. It was really years old. It was six! Tevye knows it was . How do you know? It was Tradition, Tradition, Tradition Tradition, Tradition, Tradition Dai dai Dai dai dai Dai dai dai dum Traditions, traditions. Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as As... As a fiddler on the roof!