Fiddler on the Roof songs

Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. The show is set in Tsarist Russia in 1905. The original Broadway production of the show, which opened in 1964, was the first musical to surpass the 3,000 performance mark, and it held the record for longest-running Broadway musical for almost 10 years until Grease surpassed its run.

Songs From Act I

Tradition

"Tradition" is the entire prologue of Fiddler on the Roof. It starts out with a solo from the "Fiddler". Tevye continues, "A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no. But in our little village of Anatevka, you might say everyone is a Fiddler on the Roof. You might ask, 'if it's so dangerous there, why do we stay up?' Because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: Tradition!" Everyone starts dancing. There are 4 groups, the Papa, the Mama, the sons, and the daughters. Each groups says a little about themself. Eventually everyone is singing together. Tevye points out the others in the village, and explains how one person sold him a horse, but delivered a mule. A "fight" breaks out. The song continues, and ends.

Matchmaker

Matchmaker is a song sung by the three eldest girls of Tevye and Golde: Tzeitel, Hodel, and Chava. Hodel and Chava sing about how they wish Yente, the matchmaker, would find a match for them. Tzeitel scares them by giving them bad examples of people Yente could bring. Soon the other two change their minds, and take back what they said.

If I Were a Rich Man

This song is Tevye's solo. He is returning from delivering milk after his horse goes lame. As he puts his horse and cart in his barn, he starts fantasizing and talking to God about how different his life might be if he were rich.

Sabbath Prayer

This is a prayer that Golde and Tevye sing for Sabbath Dinner. In Jewish tradition, it is very important.

To Life

This is a joyful song sung by Tevye, Lazar Wolf, and the men in the bar to celebrate Lazar's engagement to Tzeitel.

The Dream

This "dream" is Tevye's way of announcing the engagement to Golde... In which Lazar Wolf's deceased wife Fruma Sarah returns from the dead, and threatens Tzietel to a terrifying end if she ends up marrying Lazar Wolf.

Miracle of Miracles

This is Motel's solo. It is a love song sung to Tzeitel after they get permission to be engaged.

Sunrise, Sunset

This is the song sung at Motel and Tzeital's wedding. It is about how fast the two children grew up. There are solos for Golde, Tevye, Perchik, and Hodel. It is often played at weddings, and in 2013 (at the request of Rev. Joshua Ellis, who performs many same-sex weddings in New York) Harnick wrote two same-sex versions of the song. The same-sex versions are as follows:
FOR MALE COUPLES:

Is this the little boy I carried? Is that the little boy at play? I don't remember growing older. When did they?

We did they grow to be so handsome? When did they grow to be so tall? Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?

Sunrise, sunset, Sunrise, sunset, Swiftly flow the days. Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, Blossoming even as we gaze.

Sunrise, sunset, Sunrise, sunset, Swiftly fly the years. One season following another Laden with happiness and tears.

What words of wisdom can I give them? How can I help to ease their way? Now they must learn from one another Day by day.

They look so natural together. Just like two newlyweds should be. Is there a canopy in store for me?

Sunrise, sunset, Sunrise, sunset, Swiftly fly the years. One season following another, Laden with happiness and tears.

FOR FEMALE COUPLES:

Is this the little girl I carried? Is that the little girl at play? I don't remember growing older. When did they?

When did she get to be a beauty? [Alternative: When did she get to be so handsome?] When did she grow to be this tall? Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?

Sunrise, sunset, [Continues as above]

Wedding Dance

This is the dance danced at the wedding. There is a bottle dance and a circle dance, and then Perchik decides to dance with Hodel. Eventually, Tevye, Golde, Motel, and Tzeitel do the partner dance too.

Songs From Act II

Now I Have Everything

This is sung mainly by Perchik, but Hodel joins in a few times. It is a love song to Hodel sung after they decide to get married.

The Rumour

This is about a rumour that starts from Yente reading Perchik's letter to Hodel saying he has been sent to Siberia. A verse is sung in turn by Mendel, Yente, Avram and Chorus.

Do You Love Me?

This song is sung by Tevye and Golde and shows of their love for one another.

Far From the Home I Love

This is Hodel's solo. It shows the two opposite poles of her personality trying to come to a conclusion.

Chavaleh

This culminating song in Tevye's series of "inner monologues" grappling with changes to tradition proves most poignant; he dearly loves his daughter Chavaleh, his "Little Bird", but her change is too bold, and tradition demands that he disown her.

Anatevka

This song is sung by the whole village of Anatevka, minus Hodel, Perchik, Chava, and Fyedka. It shows their sorrow about leaving their village.

External links

• MIDI Instrumental for Tradition
• MIDI Instrumental for Matchmaker
• MIDI Instrumental for If I were a Rich Man
• MIDI Instrumental for Sabbath Prayer

• Lyrics for all Songs