Online Music Lab: Piano Lessons for Beginners

Fiddler on the Roof

Schedule

Winter Show	Dec 17	6:30pm
Fiddler Trip	Feb 21	9am-6pm
Primary Performance	May 10

Songs

Tradition

A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But 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? We stay because Anatevka is our home... And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you
In one word... Tradition. "

[Chorus]
Tradition, tradition... Tradition
Tradition, tradition... Tradition

(Tevye)
"Because of our traditions, we've kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Anatevka we have traditions for everything... how to eat, how to sleep, even, 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 start? I'll tell you - I don't know. But it's a tradition... Because of our traditions, everyone knows who he is and what God expects him to do."

(Tevye & Papas)
Who day and night
Must scramble for a living
Feed the wife and children
Say his daily prayers
And who has the right
As master of the house
To have the final word at home?

(All)
The papa, the papas... Tradition
The papa, the papas... 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?
(All)
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 picked a bride for me
I hope... She's pretty

(All)
The sons, the sons... Tradition
The sons, the sons... Tradition

(Daughters)
And who does mama teach
To mend and tend and fix
Preparing me to marry
Whoever papa picks?

(All)
The daughters, the daughters... Tradition

(Tevye)
"I have five daughters!"

(All)
The daughters, the daughters... Tradition

(Repeat as round)
(Papas)
The papas

(Mamas)
The mamas

(Sons)
The sons

(Daughters)
The daughters

(All)
Tradition

(Papas)
The papas

(Mamas)
The mamas

(Sons)
The sons

(Daughters)
The daughters

(All)
Tradition

(Tevye)
"And in the circle of our little village, we have always had our special types. For instance, Yente, the matchmaker..."

(Yente)
"Avram, I have a perfect match for your son. A wonderful girl."

(Avram)
"Who is it?"

(Yente)
"Ruchel, the shoemaker's daughter."

(Avram)
"Ruchel? But she can hardly see. She's almost blind."

(Yente)
"Tell the truth, Avram, is your son so much to look at? The way she sees and the way he looks, it's a perfect match."

(Tevye)
"And Nahum, the beggar..."
(Beggar)
"Alms for the poor, alms for the poor..."

(Lazar)
"Here, Reb Nahum, is one kopek."

(Beggar)
"One kopek? Last week you geve me two kopeks."

(Lazar)
"I had a bad week."

(Beggar)
"So, if you had a bad week, why should I suffer?"

(Tevye)
"And most important, our beloved Rabbi..."

"Rabbi, may I ask you a question?"

"Certainly, my son."

"Is there a proper blessing for the Tsar?"

"A blessing for the tsar? Of course. May God bless and keep the Tsar... far away from us!"

"And among ourselves, we get along perfectly well. Of course, there was the time when he sold him a horse, but delivered a mule, but that's all settled now. Now we live in simple peace and harmony and..."
"It was a horse."

"It was a mule."

Horse!
Mule!
Horse!
Mule!
Tradition, tradition... Tradition
Tradition, tradition... Tradition

"Tradition. Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as... as a fiddler
On the roof

Matchmaker, Matchmaker

Hodel:
Well, somebody has to arrange the matches,
Chava:
She might bring someone wonderful----
Hodel:
Someone interesting----
Chava:
And well off----
Hodel:
And important---
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 just 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 only have one Rabbi and he only has 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 be alright.
Did you think you'd get a prince?
Well I'll find 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 Yente,
See that he's gentle
Remember,
You were also a bride.
It's not that
I'm sentimental
Chava and 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.

If I Were a Rich Man

[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?"
If I were a rich man,
Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby 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, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum.
If I were a biddy biddy rich,
Idle-diddle-daidle-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.
(Insert)Squawking just as noisily as they can. (End Insert)
With each loud "cheep" "swaqwk" "honk" "quack"
Would land like a trumpet on the ear,
As if to say "Here lives a wealthy man."
If I were a rich man,
Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum.
All day long I'd biddy biddy bum.
If I were a wealthy man.
I wouldn't have to work hard.
Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum.
If I were a biddy biddy rich,
Idle-diddle-daidle-daidle man.
I'd 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,
Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum.
All day long I'd biddy biddy bum.
If I were a wealthy man.
I wouldn't have to work hard.
Idle-diddle-daidle-daidle man.
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

[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.

To Life

(Tevye)
"Here's to our prosperity. Our good health and happiness. And most important,"
To life, to life, l'chaim
(Tevye & Lazar)
L'chaim, l'chaim, to life
(Tevye)
Here's to the father I've tried to be
(Lazar)
Here's to my bride to be
(Both)
Drink, l'chaim, to life, to life, l'chaim
L'chaim, l'chaim, to life
(Tevye)
Life has a way of confusing us
(Lazar)
Blessing and bruising us
(Both)
Drink, l'chaim, to life
(Tevye)
God would like us to be joyful
Even when our hearts lie panting on the floor
(Lazar)
How much more can we be joyful
When there's really something
To be joyful for
(Both)
To life, to life, l'chaim
(Tevye)
To Tzeitel, my daughter
(Lazar)
My wife
It gives you something to think about
(Tevye)
Something to drink about
(Both)
Drink, l'chaim, to life
(Lazar - spoken)
"Reb Mordcha."
(Mordcha - spoken)
"Yes, Lazar Wolf."
(Lazar - spoken)
"Drinks for everybody."
(Mendel - spoken)
"What's the occasion?"
(Lazar - spoken)
"I'm taking myself a bride."
(All - spoken)
"Who? ... Who?"
(Lazar - spoken)
"Tevye's eldest, Tzeitel."
(All - spoken)
"Mazeltove... wonderful... congratulations."
(All - sung)
To Lazar Wolf
(Tevye)
To Tevye
(All)
To Tzeitel, your daughter
(Lazar)
My wife
(All)
May all your futures be pleasant ones
Not like our present ones
Drink, l'chaim, to life
To life, l'chaim
L'chaim, l'chaim, to life
It takes a wedding to make us say
Let's live another day
Drink, l'chaim, to life
We'll raise a glass and sip a drop of schnapps
In honor of the great good luck
That favored 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, l'chaim, to life
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-dai
Dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai
Dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai
Dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai
(Russian)
Za va shas da rovia
Heaven bless you both nazdrovia
To your health and may we live together in peace
Za va shas da rovia
Heaven bless you both nazdrovia
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
(Other Russians)
Za va shas da rovia
Heaven bless you both nazdrovia
To your health and may we live together in peace!
(Dance Break)
(Tevye)
To life!

Miracle of Miracles

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles-
God took a 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 Pharaoh's 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 a 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 manna 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.

Tevye's Dream


	This was my dream, in the beginning I dreamt That we were having a celebration of some kind Everybody we knew was there, musicians too And then in the middle of the dream in walks Your grandma Tzietl, may she rest in peace Grandma Tzietl, how did she look? For a woman who's been dead for thirty years She looked very good, naturally, I went up to greet her And she said to me 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, Motel

	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 A tailor? She must have heard wrong, she meant a butcher

	You must have heard wrong grandma, there's no tailor You mean the butcher grandma by the name of Lazer-Wolfe No, 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 But we announced it already we made a bargain with the butcher

	But we announced it grandma to our neighbors We made a bargain grandma with the butcher Lazer-Wolfe No, no, no, so you announced it Tevye that's your headache But as for Lazer-Wolfe I say to you, Tevye that's your headache too 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 It was the butcher The tailor Motel Camzoil It was Lazer-Wolfe The tailor Motel Camzoil 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 Tevye, Tevye, Tevye What is this about your daughter marrying my husband? Yes, he's her husband Would you do this to your friend and neighbor, Fruma Sarah Have you no consideration for a woman's feelings Handing over my belongings to a total stranger How can you allow it out, how can you let your daughter To take my place, live in my house, carry my keys And wear my clothes, pearls, how? How can you allow your daughter to take her place House, keys, clothes, pearls Such a learned man as Tevye wouldn't, let it happen Tell me that it isn't true and then I wouldn't worry Say you didn't give your blessing to your daughter's marriage Let me tell you what would follow such a fataled wedding If Tzietl marries Lazer-Wolfe 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 Here's my wedding present if she marries Lazer-Wolfe

	It's an evil spirit may it fall into the river, may 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 we can say is that it's for the best And it couldn't possibly get any better, Amen, Amen A blessing on my head, Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov My Grandma Tzietl said, Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov We'll have a son-in-law like no one ever saw The tailor Motel Camzoil We haven't got the man, Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov We had when we began, Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov But since your grandma came, she'll marry, what's his name The tailor Motel Camzoil, the tailor Motel Camzoil The tailor Motel Camzoil, the tailor Motel Camzoil Thank you.

Sunrise, Sunset

(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

(Women)
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze

(All)
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 & 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

Do You Love Me?

(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 your 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 with 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

Far from the Home I Love

How can I hope to make you understand
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 shape of my dreams?
Helpless, now, I stand with him
Watching 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 where 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.

Chava

Golde
Tevye! Tevye!

Tevye
What is it?

Golde
It's Chava. She left home this morning with Fyedka.

Tevye
What?

Golde
I looked everywhere for her. I even went to the priest. He told me they were married.

Tevye
Married?

Golde
Yes.

Tevye
Well, go home, Golde. We have other children at home.
You have work to do, I have work to do. Go home!

Golde
But Chava?

Tevye
Chava is dead to us! We'll forget her. Go home. Go home, Golde.

Tevye (song, Little Bird)
Little bird Little Chaveleh
I don't understand what's happening today
Everything is all a blur
All I can see is a happy child
The sweet little bird you were, Chaveleh Chaveleh

Little bird Little Chaveleh
You were always such a pretty little thing.
Everybody's favourite child
Gentle and kind and affectionate.
What a sweet little bird you were,
Chaveleh Chaveleh
(dance sequence, fiddler plays)

(chava enters)
Chava
Papa. Papa! Papa, I've been looking everywhere for you.
Papa, (Tevya walks away)
Stop! At least listen to me!
Papa. I beg you to accept us.

Tevye (to audience)
Accept them? How can I accept them?
Can I deny everything I believe in?
On the other hand, can I deny my own daughter?
On the other hand, how can I turn my back on my faith, my people?
If I try and bend that far, I'll break.
On the other hand...
No! There is no other hand. (to Chava) No, Chava! No!

Chava
But, Papa!

Tevye
No! No!

Chava (grabs on to cart)
Papa!

Tevye (exits)
No!

Chava (on floor)
Papa!

Anatevka

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.