Note: There are several sites on the Internet which have the lyrics to all of the songs. Google "Fiddler on the Roof Lyrics" to locate them.

PROLOGUE: The exterior of Tevye's house. A Fiddler sits on the roof playing.
Tevye explains the Fiddler: He strives to keep his balance up there on the roof just as the Jews of Anatevka try to keep their balance in the dangerous Russia of the time. They do this by tradition, without which they would be a shaky as the fiddler. Villagers enter and all sing Tradition in which they describe the duties of various members of the family and introduce some of the villagers including the Matchmaker and the Beggar. They survive by leaving the Russians such as the Constable, Priest, etc. alone and are left alone by them.

ACT I Scene I: The kitchen of Tevye's house
While they wait for Tevye to come home from his dairy delivery routes, Golde and the daughters are preparing for the Sabbath. Yente, the village matchmaker, arrives with the news that she has made a match for the eldest daughter Tzeitel. It is with the well-to-do village butcher Lazar Wolf, a widower who is much older the Tzeitel. Motel, a young, but poor, tailor comes looking for Tzeitel and they go out together.

Golde thinks Lazar is a great match for her daughter, but says Tevye wants an educated man and doesn't like Lazar. However, she will tell her husband to visit butcher. Tzeitel, Hodel and Chava enter wondering what Yente wanted, and they sing of the matches they hope she will make for them. (Matchmaker)

Scene 2: Outside
Tevye enters pulling his cart. (His horse has broken down and is at the blacksmith's.) He sings If I Were a Rich Man in which he dreams of the new house he would build and the livestock stock he would buy. His wife would be well dressed, and all the town would respect him. He wouldn't have to work and could spend all his time discussing Holy Books (Bible, Torah, Talmud, etc.) with learned men. He asks God if that would spoil His plan to let him be wealthy.

Villagers arrive to complain; because of the lame horse Tevye was unable to deliver their orders for the Sabbath. Avram, the bookseller tells the news of a village from which all the Jews were evicted by order of the authorities. While they talk, Perchik, a young student from Kiev, enters and tells them they should pay more attention to what is going on in the world outside their village, and he corrects Tevye when he misquotes the Bible. Also he has advanced ideas such as the rich sharing their wealth with the poor and the education of women. Tevye is impressed by this demonstration of his knowledge and invites him to join them for the Sabbath. They agree Perchik shall teach his daughters in exchange for food.

Scene 3: Inside the house
Tevye and Perchik enter and are greeted by the daughters. Motel also appears and Golde orders them all to wash before the Sabbath meal. While Tevye starts his evening prayers, Golde keeps interrupting him with the news of Yente's visit and talk of the butcher. Tevye thinks it means the butcher want to buy his cow. Still praying, he goes out with his wife.

Tzeitel tells Motel he should ask for her hand that night or it might be too late. However, he is unsuccessful in getting Tevye's attention. The family gathers around the table and sings a Sabbath Prayer.

Scene 4: The Inn, the next evening
Lazar enters and asks for a bottle of the best brandy. Several Russians come in followed by Tevye. Lazar assumes Tevye knows he wants to marry his daughter, but Tevye thinks he wants to buy a cow so, for awhile, they talk at cross purposes. When Tevye discovers they are talking of Tzeitel he is dismayed; he doesn't like the butcher. However, on weighing the pros and cons, he agrees to the marriage and they drink to the agreement. (L'Chaim—To Life) Eventually, all the Jews begin dancing about. When the Russians join in, the Jews at first become uncomfortable but, soon, all dance together.

Scene 5: The street outside the Inn. Still singing L'Chaim, the villagers come out of the Inn. When Lazar comments that, after the wedding, Tevye will be his papa, Tevye responds he had always wanted a son, but one younger than himself. The Constable appears and tells Tevye that he has received an order to the effect that this region is to have an "unofficial demonstration", not a pogrom, just some mischief. The Fiddler appears, and he and the Tevye dance off together.

Scene 6: Outside Tevye's house
While Hodel works nearby, Perchik is teaching Shprintze and Bielke . He tells the Biblical story of Laban, Jacob, Leah and Rachel and adds Laban was an employer which implies he was mean and not to be trusted. Golde appears and tells the young girls she needs their help with the work; Tevye came in too drunk last night and isn't up yet. Hodel and Perchik discuss the story of Laban. Perchik admires her intelligence but tells her she should have more curiosity about the world and its changing ways. He tells how city boys and girls can hold hands and even dance together and then proceeds to teach her a dance.

Tevye, still dazed from the celebrations of the previous night, appears looking for Tzeitel. When she appears, he announces she is to be married. Golde is ecstatic because her daughter will be rich, but the sisters are subdued in their congratulations. Perchik comments riches are no reason to marry and leaves. Tzeitel bursts into tears saying she can't marry Lazar, she'll work like a slave rather than be unhappy all her life.

Just then Motel enters and says he has a match for Tzeitel which is a much better fit, himself. Tevye thinks he is crazy to suggest a marriage without a involving matchmaker and is shocked when Motel reveals they have already given each other a pledge, an outrageous disregard for Tradition! The young people finally convince him to give his consent, and he asks when they should have the wedding.

Now, however, he is in a bind. What is he to tell the happy Golde! He leaves while Motel and Tzeitel rejoice with Miracle of Miracles.

Scene 7: Tevye's bedroom
It is completely dark. A groan is heard and then a scream. It is Tevye, and Golde wakes him up. Pretending to be frightened, he claims Lazar's first wife had appeared to him. (During his narration the dream it is acted out by apparitions.) Grandma Tzeitel, the Rabbi, Fruma-Sarah and others sing The Tailor, Motel Kamzot.Grandma and the Rabbi congratulate Tevye on a marriage with Motel. When Golde says that the marriage is with Lazar, Grandma screams her protests. Then Fruma-Sarah appears and scolds Tevye and Golde for even thinking their daughter could take her place in her house and ends by saying she will kill both Tevye and Tzeitel if she marries Lazar. Golde finally gives in, the specters all leave, Golde goes back to bed, and Tevye silently thanks God that his trick has worked.

Scene 8: Motel's tailor shop and the street outside
People are excitedly discussing the upcoming wedding. Motel comes in and asked Yussel if he can by a hat for the wedding. It just so happens there is a hat; Lazar had ordered one but now cannot use it. Motel asked Chava to mind the shop while he goes for the hat. All leave except the Russian Fyedka, and his friends. When the others tease Chava, Fyedka stops them and tells them to leave, then apologizes to Chava. He tells her he often sees her in the bookshop and admires girls who like to read. He offers to lend her a book by Heine; she resists at first but finally takes it. When Motel returns with his wedding hat, Chava and Fyedka leave together.

Scene 9: Tevye's yard
The wedding guests arrive and divide into men on the right and women on the left. The guests sing Sunrise, Sunset while the wedding in mimed.

Scene 10: Tevye's yard with a partition down the center
Some of the people sit at tables while others dance, men together and women together each on their own side of the partition. The Rabbi announces the wedding gifts including blankets and other household good. Lazar announces he is giving them chickens but, when Tevye tries to thank him and use one of his quotes, the butcher gets angry and refused to listen. He is still bitter about losing Tzeitel.

Others express shock that a young girl could decide for herself whom to marry. To still the quarrels, Mordcha, the innkeeper asks the musicians to play a dance, but no one dances. Suddenly Perchik crosses to the women's side and asks which of them will dance with him. While all react at this ‘sinful' idea, Hodel joins him. Then Tevye and Golde start to dance and, gradually, other couples join in.

Suddenly they are interrupted by the Russian Constable and his men. He apologizes, but he has been ordered to perform some destruction tonight. Telling the musicians to continue playing, they destroy the gifts, upset the tables, and smash windows. When the guests leave, Constable apologizes and leaves. Quietly Tevye tells the others to clean up.

ACT TWO Scene 1: Exterior of Tevye's house
Tevye is seated on a bench and speaking to God. Was it really necessary to have the pogrom at the wedding, he asks. However, the newly weds are now so happy they don't know they are miserable. He knows God is busy with wars and revolutions, floods and plagues, but could He please take a minute to help Model get his sewing machine and fix his own horse's leg? He starts to quote the Good Book (Bible) then realizes to whom he is speaking. "Why should I tell You what the Good Book says?"

He goes, and Hodel and Perchik appear. He must leave for Kiev the next day; people need to realize that the pogroms are spreading, and he and others need to act. First he wants to speak of marriage and its social value; he is in favor of it. She realizes that, in spite of the way he phrases it, he is asking her to marry him, and they happily agree to an engagement. (Now I Have Everything) He says he will send for her as soon as he can. Tevye enters, and they give him the news. When he says "No!" refusing to give his permission, they say they are not asking his permission, merely telling him of the fact and asking for his blessing. Shocked he reprises Tradition. Although their action has defied tradition, they are in love so he finally relents and gives not only his blessing but also his permission. However, he is worried about how he can tell his wife.

At that moment Golde appears. Tevye tells her he has decided to give the couple his permission to be engaged and, when she objects, he says:"Who asks you? I'm the father". He likes the boy and they are in love. Suddenly he asks if Golde loves him. (Do you love me?) She sings of all the things she does for him then says "I suppose I do". In return, he supposes he loves her.

Scene 2: The village street
Yente and Tzeitel meet, and the matchmaker tells the girl she has just seen Chava with Fyedka, and not for the first time. Yente then produces a letter from Perchik to Hodel she had found at the post office and picked up for her. It "happened to be open" so of course she read it.

Tzeitel leaves with the letter, and Yente proceeds to reveal its contents to the other villagers. (I've Just Heard) Perchik has been arrested! The news passes from group to group changing as it goes until Golde has been arrested, Hodel has gone to Kiev, Motel is studying dancing and other tidbits about Tevye and his family. "And that's what comes from men and women dancing."

Scene 3: Outside the railroad station.
Tevye has brought Hodel to the station so she can take a train and join Perchik in Siberia to help him in his work. She quotes from the Bible then, trying to make her father understand, she sings Far From the Home I Love. She promises they will marry when they reach Siberia

Scene 4: The village street
People greet each other with news of a new arrival at Motel and Tzeitel's.

Scene 5: Motel's tailor shop
Golde, Chava and several villagers are gathered about the "new arrival", a used sewing machine! Motel demonstrates to an admiring audience and cries of "Mazel tov". As an afterthought, Golde asks about the baby, but the attention of all returns to the machine.

Fyedke comes to pick up his new shirt, and he and Chava leave together. She admits she has not yet told her father about them but promises to do so. When Tevye appears, the Russian leaves and Chava does tell her father that she and Fyedka want to be married. This is worse that the other two daughters since she would be marrying a non-Jew. He gives her a decided "No!" and forbids her to see Fyedka again.

Scene 6: A road
Tevye is pushing his cart; his horse is lame again. He asks God why the horse can not walk on three legs when he himself can walk on only two. He is met by Golde with news that Chava has left home; she and Fyedka have been married by the priest! Tevye tells her to go home, they have other children; Chava is dead to them. He then sings Chavaleh about how she was his little bird. As he finishes, the girl herself appears and begs him to accept her and their marriage. He addresses Heaven asking how he can accept her and turn his back on his own faith and people. He tells her "No". Slowly she leaves.

Scene 7: Tevye's barn
Yente enters bringing two reluctant young boys as prospective husbands for Shprintze and Bielke. Although they are young, they can wait until they are older. Meanwhile they can become engaged.

They are interrupted by some of the men of the village with dire news, there has been an edict from St. Petersburg! Just then the Constable enters: the Jews must sell their houses and all their goods and leave the village. He doesn't know why, but they must leave the place where their ancestors have lived for generations. All the villages of the district must be emptied — they have three days! If they refuse, they will be forced out. After the Constable leaves they try to plot resistance but the Rabbi advises them to obey the order. Yente, Golde, Lazar, Tevye and two others sing Anatevka about all their belongings and what it will be like to leave.

Finally Golde says that Anatevka is just a place, Mendel replies their forefathers have been forced out of many places, and Tevye remarks that maybe that is why they always wear their hats.

Scene 8: Outside Tevye's house
The family is packing. Tevye, Golde and the two younger girls are going to America to live with their Uncle Avram (although he does not know it yet). Motel and Tzeitel are going Warsaw until they have enough money to join them. Yente enters and announces that she is going to Jerusalem. Perchik and Hodel will stay in Siberia. Lazar is going to Chicago to stay with his first wife's brother, whom he hates, but he is a relative.

After Tevye goes into the house, Chava and Fyedka appear wanting to say good-bye Tzeitel warns Tevye will not talk to them. He comes out, sees them, and turns his back as they tell him that they are going to Cracow; they can't stay where people treat others this way. Chava says good-bye; Tevye and Golde ignore her but Tevye, under his breath, prompts Tzeitel to say "God be with you" which she does. Chava says that they will write to them in America, and Golde responds that they will be staying with Uncle Avram.

After Chava and Fyedka leave, the others finish packing and exchange good-byes. As they leave, the Fiddler appears on the roof playing his theme. Tevye beckons him and the Fiddler follows the family offstage.

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Revised February 2011
Please credit Lyric Opera San Diego when using this material.