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
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.
Who day and night must scramble for a living
Feed a wife and children Say his daily prayers
And who has a right as master of the house
To have the final word at home
The papa
Tradition
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
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
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 a question?
Certainly.
Is there a proper blessing for the czar?
A blessing for the czar? Of course.
May God bless and keep the czar...
far away from us.
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...
and told him it was six years old...
when it was really 12.
But now, it's all over...
and we all live in simple peace and harmony.
- It was really 12 years old. - It was six.
Tevye knows it was 12.
Twelve!
It was 12!
Tradition
Traditions, traditions.
Without our traditions...
our lives would be as shaky as...
as a fiddler on the roof.
Mama! Yente the matchmaker is coming.
Maybe she's finally found a match for you, Tzeitel.
From your mouth to God's ears.
Why does she come now? It's almost Sabbath.
I want to talk to Yente alone.
But, Mama, the men she finds.
The last was so old, and he was bald. He had no hair.
A girl without a dowry can't be so particular.
You want hair, marry a monkey.
Even a poor girl has to look at her husband sometime.
A husband's to get, not to look at.
I'm not yet 20...
Do you have to boast about your age?
Do you want to tempt the evil eye? Out, all of you.
There's work to be done before the Sabbath. Hurry!
Golde, I have such news for you.
Not every day in the week news.
Once in a lifetime news.
Such diamonds, such jewels.
I'll find a husband for every one of them...
but you shouldn't be so picky, right?
Of course right, because after all...
even the worst husband, God forbid...
is better than no husband, God forbid.
Who should know better than me? Since my husband died...
I've been a poor widow, all alone, no one to talk to.
All I do at night is think of him.
Even that gives me no pleasure.
- Is Tzeitel in the house? - Go in and find out.
Thank you, Bielke.
- He never raised his voice. - Good afternoon.
Is Tzeitel here?
She's busy. Come back later.
- I'd like to tell her something. - Later.
Later. Oh, all right.
What does that skinny tailor want with Tzeitel?
They've been friends since they were babies. They talk, they play.
Play? What do they play?
I don't know. They're children.
From such children come other children.
Motel is nothing.
Yente, you said you had news for me.
Children.
They are your blessing in your old age.
But my Aaron, may he rest in peace, couldn't give me children.
To tell the truth, Golde, he hardly tried.
But what's the use complaining?
Other women enjoy complaining. Not Yente.
Not every woman in the world is a Yente.
Well, I... I have to go home now...
to prepare my poor Sabbath meal.
So good-bye, Golde...
and it was a pleasure talking our hearts out.
You said you had news.
Oi, I'm losing my head.
Someday it'll fall off altogether...
and a horse will kick it in the mud...
and good-bye, Yente.
Of course, the news.
It's about Lazar Wolf, the butcher.
A good, fine man...
and I don't have to say he's well off, no?
Yes. But he's lonely, the poor man.
He's been a widower all these years.
Of course you understand. So, to make it short.
Out of the whole town, he's cast his eye...
on Tzeitel.
- My Tzeitel? - No, the czar's Tzeitel.
Of course your Tzeitel.
Such a match for my Tzeitel.
But Tevye wants a learned man. He doesn't like Lazar.
Good, so Lazar won't marry him.
He wants the daughter, not the father.
Listen to me, Golde.
You send Tevye to him. Don't tell him what it's about.
Let Lazar discuss it himself.
He'll win him over. He's a good man and a wealthy man.
Let me know how it went.
You don't have to thank me...
because aside from my fee, which Lazar will pay anyway...
it gives me satisfaction...
to make people happy.
True? Of course true.
So good-bye, Golde, and you're welcome.
Good-bye, Yente.
Come, children, get changed for the Sabbath. Hurry.
- Hurry with your work. - I wonder if Yente found you a husband.
I'm not anxious for that.
- Unless it's Motel the tailor. - I didn't ask you.
You're the oldest. They have to make a match for you...
before making one for me.
Then after her, one for me.
- So if Yente... - Yente!
Well, somebody has to arrange the matches.
- She might bring someone wonderful. - Someone interesting.
- Well-off. - 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
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
For Papa, make him a scholar
For Mama, make him rich as a king
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 a match
Of my own
Since when are you interested in a match, Chava?
I thought you had your eye on books.
You have your eye on the rabbi's son.
Well, why not? We only have one rabbi...
and he only has one son.
Why shouldn't I want the best?
Because you're from a poor family...
so whatever Yente brings, you'll take.
Right? Of course right.
Hodel, oh, Hodel Have I made a match for you
He's handsome, he's young All right, 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 Will 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're all right
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've got a man
Matchmaker, matchmaker You know that I'm
Still very young
Please take your time
Up to this minute I misunderstood
That I could get stuck for good
Dear Yente See that he's gentle
Remember you were also a bride
It's not that I'm sentimental
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
Dear God, was that necessary?
Did you have to make him lame just before the Sabbath?
Ah, that wasn't nice.
It's enough you pick on me...
bless me with five daughters, a life of poverty.
That's all right, but what have you got against my horse?
Really, sometimes I think...
when things are too quiet up there...
you say to yourself...
"Let's see. What kind of mischief...
can I play on my friend Tevye?"
Aha! So you're finally here, my breadwinner.
I'll talk to you later.
- So why are you late today? - His foot went lame.
Hurry. The sun won't wait.
I have something important to say.
- I still have deliveries. - You'll be late for the Sabbath.
I won't be late.
You'll be late.
I won't be late.
If you ever stop talking, I won't be late!
You can die from him.
As the Good Book says...
"Heal us, O Lord, and we shall be healed. "
In other words, send us the cure.
We've got the sickness already.
Well, I'm not really complaining.
After all, with your help...
I'm starving to death.
Oh, dear Lord.
You made many, many poor people.
I realize, of course, 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
All day long I'd biddy biddy bum
If I were a wealthy man
I wouldn't have to work hard
If I were a biddy biddy rich
Idle deedle 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
Squawking just as noisily as they can
And each loud
Will land like a trumpet on the ear
As if to say
Here lives a wealthy man
If I were a rich man
All day long I'd biddy biddy bum
If I were a wealthy man
I wouldn't have to work hard
If I were a biddy biddy rich
Idle deedle 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'd see her putting on airs and strutting like a peacock
Oh, what a happy mood she's in
Screaming at her 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
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
And that would be
The sweetest thing of all
If I were a rich man
All day long I'd biddy biddy bum
If I were a wealthy man
I wouldn't have to work hard
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
Where's your horse?
Well, he decided to take the day off.
- Have a good Sabbath. - Thank you, Your Honor.
- Tevye, you're late. - Where's your horse?
- It's almost the Sabbath. - You kept us all waiting.
What happened to your horse?
Look at this! Look what it says in the paper!
- Look. - What's the matter, Avram?
Sha! Quiet!
Stop braying like a pack of mules, and let a man talk. Talk, Avram.
My paper came to the post office today like it does every week.
Usually it comes Thursday, but sometimes...
Avram, that's not talking. That's babbling.
- Tell us the news. - What does it say?
Quiet! Talk, Avram.
Well, I was reading my paper.
It's nothing very important... a story about the crops in the Ukraine...
and this and that.
Avram, talk.
And then, I saw this.
All right. We all see it.
What does it say?
"In a village called Rajanka...
all the Jews were evicted...
forced to leave their homes. "
For what reason?
It doesn't say. Maybe the czar wanted their land. Maybe a plague.
May the czar have his own personal plague!
Amen!
Why don't you ever bring us some good news?
It's not my fault. I only read it.
"An edict from the authorities. "
May the authorities grow like onions...
with their heads in the ground.
What good will your cursing do?
You stand around, curse and chatter, and you don't do anything.
You'll all chatter your way into the grave.
Excuse me. You're not from this village.
Where are you from?
Kiev.
I studied at the university.
The university.
Tell me, is that a place where you learned...
how not to respect your elders?
That's where I learned there is more to life than talk.
- You need to know the outside world. - Careful, my paper.
Why should I break my head about the outside world?
Let the outside world break its own head.
Well put!
He's right. As the Good Book says...
"If you spit in the air, it lands in your face. "
Nonsense.
You can't close your eyes to what's happening in the world.
He's right.
He's right, and he's right?
They can't both be right.
You know, you are also right.
He's too young to wipe his own nose.
Good Sabbath, Tevye. The university!
- Here. Good Sabbath. - Good Sabbath, Tevye.
Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I apologize. Here.
Tevye, the rabbi's order.
Of course.
So you are from Kiev, Reb...
Perchik.
So you are a newcomer here, huh?
As Abraham said...
"I'm a stranger in a strange land. "
Moses said that.
Forgive me.
As King David said, "I'm slow of speech and slow of tongue. "
That was also Moses.
For a man with a slow tongue he talked a lot.
Here, Reb Perchik.
Have a piece.
I have no money, and I'm not a beggar.
Take it. It's a blessing for me to give.
Very well. For your sake.
Thank you.
You know, it's no crime to be poor.
In this world, the rich are the criminals.
- Someday their wealth will be ours. - That would be nice.
If they would agree, I would agree.
Who will make this miracle come to pass?
People. Ordinary people.
- Like you? - Like me.
Until your golden day comes, Reb Perchik, how will you live?
By giving lessons to children. Do you have any children?
I have five daughters.
Five!
Daughters!
Girls should learn too. Girls are people.
- A radical! - Go away.
I'd be willing to teach them, open their minds to great thoughts.
I'd like them to know the Good Book.
The Bible has many lessons for our times.
Perchik...
I'm a very poor man...
but food for lessons, huh?
Good. Stay with us for the Sabbath.
Of course, we don't eat like kings...
but we don't starve either.
As the Good Book says, when a poor man eats a chicken...
one of them is sick.
Where does the Book say that?
All right. It doesn't exactly say that...
but someplace it has something about a chicken.
Good Sabbath.
- Did Yente find somebody? - I don't know.
- Good Sabbath, children. - Good Sabbath, Papa.
Children, this is Perchik.
Perchik, this is my eldest daughter.
Good Sabbath. You have a pleasant daughter.
I have five pleasant daughters.
This is mine, and this is mine...
and this is mine...
and this is mine, and this is mine, and...
Well, this is not mine. This is Motel Kamzoil.
So, you did us a favor and came home.
Well, this is also mine.
This is Perchik from Kiev.
He'll be staying the Sabbath with us. He is a teacher!
- Would you like to take lessons? - I'm a good teacher.
I heard that the rabbi who must praise himself has a congregation of one.
Your daughter has a quick and witty tongue.
The wit she gets from me. As the Good Book says...
The Good Book can wait. Wash.
The tongue she gets from her mother.
Motel, you're also eating with us?
Of course. Another blessing.
Tzeitel, get the small table. Chava, the two chairs from outside.
Children, finish dressing. You can wash at the well.
Hurry. Hodel, help them. It's almost the Sabbath. Hurry!
Tevye, I have something to say to you.
Why should today be different?
I have something to tell you!
Tzeitel, I have something to tell you.
- Yente was here. - I saw her.
If there's a match, it will be too late for us.
But I've found someone who will sell me his sewing machine.
So maybe in a few weeks I can buy it, and then your father...
That might be too late.
Lazar Wolf wants to see you.
The butcher? What is it about?
I don't know, only he says it's important.
I have nothing for him to slaughter.
After the Sabbath, talk with him.
About what? If he's thinking about buying my new milk cow...
he can forget it.
I want you to talk...
I want you to talk to...
What else can I do?
You could ask my father for my hand tonight.
Now.
Why should he consider me? I'm a poor tailor.
I'm only a poor milkman's daughter. Just talk to him.
Tzeitel, if your father says no, that's it. It's final.
He'll yell at me.
I'm just a poor tailor.
Even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness.
That's true.
Amen. A man sends you an important message, you can talk to him.
- I don't want to... - Talk to him!
All right! After the Sabbath I'll talk to him!
All right. I'll talk to him.
Well, it's getting late.
- Where is everybody? - I don't know, Papa.
Children! Come down, children! We are lighting the candles.
Not now, Motel. Hurry up, children!
Not now, Motel.
The sun is almost down.
What is it?
Yes?
Well, Motel, what is it?
Good Sabbath, Reb Tevye.
Hurry up.
Hurry, children. It's getting late.
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, O Lord
And keep them from the stranger's 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, O Lord
With happiness and peace
Oh, hear our Sabbath prayer
Amen
Is Reb...
Is Reb Lazar Wolf at home?
He's in the back.
Oh. May I...
- Come in. - Oh, thank you.
And all this from killing innocent animals?
- Don't touch anything. - All right.
Well, Tevye. You're here.
- Well, sit down. - Thank you.
- Have a drink. - I won't insult you by saying no.
Well. How goes it with you, Reb Tevye?
- How should it go? - You're right.
- And you? - The same.
I'm sorry to hear that.
How is your brother-in-law in America?
- He's doing very well. - Oh, he wrote you?
- No, not lately. - Then how do you know?
If he was doing badly, he would write.
Yes?
I suppose you know why I wanted to see you.
Oh, yes, I do, but...
there is no use talking about it.
I understand how you feel...
but...
After all, you have a few more without her.
Ah, I see.
Today you want one. Tomorrow you may want two.
Two? What would I do with two?
The same as you do with one.
This is very important to me.
Why is it so important to you?
Frankly...
because...
I'm lonely.
Lonely?
Reb Lazar, what are you talking about?
How can a little cow keep you company?
Little cow? Is that what you call her?
What else should I call her? That's what she is. What are you talking about?
- Don't you know? - We're talking about my milk cow...
you want to buy from me.
A milk cow?
A milk cow so I won't be lonely?
I'm talking about...
your daughter Tzeitel.
My daughter Tzeitel?
Of course. Your daughter Tzeitel.
I see her every Thursday in my butcher shop...
and she's made a very good impression on me.
A very good impression.
I like her.
Why don't we just shake hands...
and call it a match?
And...
I'll be good to her.
L...
I like her.
Well?
- What do you think? - What do I think?
I never really liked him.
Why should I? You can have a fine conversation with him...
if you talk about kidneys and livers.
On the other hand...
not everyone has to be a scholar.
And with a butcher...
my daughter will surely never know hunger.
Maybe I misjudged him.
He's a good man.
He likes her.
And he'll try to make her happy.
What do I think?
It's a match.
- You agree? - I agree.
- You've made me a happy man. - Good.
- Let's drink on it. - Why not?
- To you. - No, my friend. To you.
- To both of us. - To our agreement!
To our prosperity.
To our good health and happiness.
And most important of all...
To life, to life Le'chayim
Le'chayim, le'chayim To life
Here's to the father I've tried to be
Here's to my bride-to-be
Drink le'chayim to life
Life has a way of confusing us
Blessing and bruising us
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 Tzeitel, my daughter - My wife
It gives you something to think about
Something to drink about
- Mordcha! - Yes. What is it?
- Drinks for everyone! - What's the big occasion?
I'm taking myself a bride!
- Who's the lucky one? - 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
It takes a wedding to make us say
Let's live another day
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
Heaven bless you both
To your health
And may we live together in peace
Thank you.
May you both be favored with the future of your choice
May you live to see a thousand reasons to rejoice
Hey! I like it!
Drinks for everybody!
To life!
After...
the marriage...
we will be related.
You will be my...
papa.
Your papa?
Lazar Wolf...
I always wanted a son.
But I wanted one a little younger than myself.
Good night.
I hear that congratulations are in order, Tevye.
Oh, thank you, Your Honor.
Yes, Your Honor?
I have news I think I should tell you as a friend.
I'm giving you this news because I like you.
You're an honest, decent person, even though you are a Jew.
Oh, thank you, Your Honor.
How often does a man get a compliment like that?
And the news?
We have received orders that sometime soon...
this district is to have a little unofficial demonstration.
What?
A pogrom? Here?
No. Just a little unofficial demonstration.
Little?
- How little? - Not too serious.
Just mischief so that if an inspector comes...
he can see that we did our duty.
Personally, I don't know why there has to be trouble between people.
But I thought I should tell you.
Thank you, Your Honor.
You're a good man.
If I may say so...
it's too bad you're not a Jew.
That's what I like about you.
You're always joking.
Congratulations again for your daughter.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Oh, about the other matter, it won't be too bad.
- I wouldn't worry. - Of course not.
Dear God...
did you have to send me news like that...