Sides

Fiddler on the Roof Side 1

Yente

Golde darling, I had to see you because I have such news for you. And not just every day in the week news, once in a lifetime news. And where are your daughters? Outside, no? Good, such diamonds, such jewels. You’ll see, Golde, I’ll find every one of them a husband. But you shouldn’t be so picky… Even the worst husband, God forbid, is better than no husband, God … And who should know better than me? Ever since my husband died I’ve been a poor widow, alone, nobody to talk to, nothing to say to anyone. It’s no life. He was not much of a person… Never made a living, everything he touched turned to mud, but better than nothing. Believe me, he was good as gold, never raised his voice to me, but otherwise he was not much of a man, so what good is it if he never raised his voice? But what’s the use complaining, other women enjoy complaining, but not Yente. Not every woman in the world is a Yente. Well, I must prepare my poor Sabbath table, so goodbye, Golde, and it was a pleasure talking our hearts out to each other.

Fiddler on the Roof Side 2

Tevye, Motel, and Tzeitel

MOTEL: Reb Tevye, may I speak to you?

TEVYE: Later, Motel. Later.

MOTEL: I would like to speak to you.

TEVYE: Not now, Motel, I have problems.

MOTEL: That’s what I want to speak to you about. I think I can help.

TEVYE: Certainly. Like a bandage can help a corpse. Goodbye, Motel. Goodbye. TZEITEL: At least listen to him, Papa.

TEVYE: All right. You have a tongue. Talk.

MOTEL: Reb Tevye, I hear you are arranging a match for Tzeitel.

TEVYE: He also has ears.

MOTEL: I have a match for Tzeitel, a perfect fit, like a glove, made exactly to measure. TEVYE: A perfect fit. Made to measure. Stop talking like a tailor and tell me who it is! MOTEL: Please, don’t shout at me.

TEVYE: All right. Who is it?

MOTEL: Who is it?

TEVYE: Who is it?

MOTEL: Who is it?

TEVYE: Who is it?

MOTEL: It’s me . . . myself.

TEVYE: Him? Himself? Either you’re completely out of your mind or you’re crazy… He must be crazy… Arranging a match for yourself. What are you, everything? The bridegroom, the matchmaker, the guests all rolled into one? I suppose you’ll even perform the ceremony!! … You must be crazy!!!!

MOTEL: Please don’t shout at me, Reb Tevye. As for being my own matchmaker – I know it’s a little unusual.

TEVYE: Unusual? It’s crazy.

MOTEL: Times are changing, Reb Tevye. The thing is, your daughter Tzeitel and I gave each other our pledge more than a year ago that we would marry.

TEVYE: You gave each other a pledge?

MOTEL: Yes, we gave each other our pledge.

TEVYE: Where does it stop? Do I still have something to say about my daughter, or doesn’t anyone have to ask a father anymore?

MOTEL: I have wanted to ask you for some time, Reb Tevye, but first I wanted to save up for my own sewing machine.

TEVYE: Stop talking nonsense. You’re just a poor tailor.

MOTEL: That’s true, Reb Tevye, but even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness. I promise you, Reb Tevye, your daughter will not starve.

Fiddler on the Roof Side 3

Tzietel and Tevye

TEVYE: Ah, Tzeitel, my lamb, come here Tzeitel, you are to be congratulated. You are going to be married!

TZEITEL: What do you mean, Papa?

TEVYE: Lazar Wolf has asked for your hand… Well, Tzeitel, my child, why are you so silent? Aren’t you happy with this blessing?

TZEITEL: Oh, Papa, Papa…

TEVYE: What is it? Tell me?

TZEITEL: Papa, I don’t want to marry him. I can’t marry him. I can’t…

TEVYE: What do you mean, you can’t? If I say you will, you will.

TZEITEL: Papa if it’s a matter of money, I’ll do anything. I’ll hire myself out as a servant. I’ll dig ditches. I’ll haul rocks. Only don’t make me marry him, Papa, please.

TEVYE: What’s wrong with Lazar? He likes you.

TZEITEL: Papa, I will be unhappy with him. All my life will be unhappy. I’ll dig ditches. I’ll haul rocks.

TEVYE: But we made an agreement. With us an agreement is an agreement. TZEITEL:Is that more important than I am, Papa? Papa, don’t force me. I’ll be unhappy all my days.

TEVYE: All right, I won’t force you.

TZEITEL: Oh, thank you Papa.

Fiddler on the Roof Side 4

Perchick and Hodel

PERCHIK:Please don’t be upset, Hodel.

HODEL: Why should I be upset? If you must leave, you must.

PERCHIK:I do have to. They expect me in Kiev tomorrow morning.

HODEL: So you told me. Then goodbye.

PERCHIK:Great changes are about to take place in this country. Tremendous changes. But they can’t happen by themselves.

HODEL: So naturally you feel that you personally have to…

PERCHIK:Not only me. Many people. Jews, Gentiles, many people hate what is going on. Don’t you understand?

HODEL: I understand, of course. You want to leave. Then goodbye.

PERCHIK:I have work to do. The greatest work man can do.

HODEL: Then goodbye, Perchik.

PERCHIK:Before I go, (he hesitates, summons up courage) There is a certain question I wish to discuss with you.

HODEL: Yes?

PERCHIK:A political question.

HODEL: What is it?

PERCHIK:The question of marriage.

HODEL: This is a political question?

PERCHIK:In a theoretical sense, yes. The relationship between a man and woman known as marriage is based on mutual beliefs, a common attitude and philosophy towards society…

HODEL: And affection…

PERCHIK:And affection… This relationship has positive social values. It reflects a unity and solidarity.

HODEL: And affection…

PERCHIK:Yes, and I personally am in favor of it. Do you understand?

HODEL: Yes. I think you are asking me to marry you.

PERCHIK:In a theoretical sense, yes, I am.

HODEL: I was hoping you were.

Fiddler on the Roof Side 5

FYEDKA and CHAVA

FYEDKA: I’m sorry about that. They mean no harm.

CHAVA: Don’t they? (he follows her) Is there something you want?

FYEDKA: Yes. I’d like to talk to you.

CHAVA: I’d rather not. (She hesitates)

FYEDKA: I’ve often noticed you at the bookseller’s. Not many girls in this village like to read… (sudden thought… extends book HE is holding) Would you like to borrow this book? It’s very good.

CHAVA: No, thank you.

FYEDKA: Why. Because I’m not Jewish? Do you feel about us the way they feel about you? I didn’t think you would.

CHAVA: What do you know about me?

FYEDKA: Let me tell you about myself. I’m a pleasant fellow, charming, honest, ambitious, quite bright, and very modest.

CHAVA: I don’t think we should be talking this way.

FYEDKA: I often do things I shouldn’t… Go ahead, take the book… It’s by Heinrich Heine. Happens to be Jewish, I believe.

CHAVA: That doesn’t matter.

FYEDKA: You’re quite right. Good. After you return it, I’ll ask you how you like it, and we’ll talk about it for a while, then we’ll talk about life, how we feel about things, and it can all turn out quite pleasant.