If I Were A Rich Man

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

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

Yaidle 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 could 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 pa-pa-gee! pa-pa-gaack! pa-pa-gee! pa-pa-gaack!

Would land like a trumpet on the ear

As if to say, "Here lives a wealthy man", oy



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

Yaidle deedle daidle daidle man



I see my wife, my goldey, 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 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 learned books with the learned men

Seven hours every day

That would be the sweetest thing of all, oy



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?