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,
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 could be one long stair case 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 sound like a trumpet on the ear;
as if to say here lives 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:
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.
Ii see my wife 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 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.
boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi.
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 a 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.
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,
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?
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,
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 could be one long stair case 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 sound like a trumpet on the ear;
as if to say here lives 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:
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.
Ii see my wife 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 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.
boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi.
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 a 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.
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,
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?