If I Were A Rich Man

If I were a rich man,

daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh,

digguh, deedle, daidle, dum,

all day long I’d biddy, biddy bum,

If I were a wealthy man:

wouldn’t have to work hard,

daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh,

digguh, deedle, daidle, dum.

If I were a biddy, biddy rich,

digguh, digguh, deedle, 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 stair case 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 quack and cluck and gobble and honk

will sound like a trumpet on the ear;

as if to say here lives a wealthy man.

If I were a rich man,

daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh,

digguh, deedle, daidle, dum.

all day long I’d biddy, biddy bum.

If I were a wealthy man:

wouldn`t have to work hard,

daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh,

digguh, deedle, daidle, dum.

If I were a biddy, biddy rich,

digguh, digguh, deedle, daidle man.

Ii see my wife golde 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 Solomon the wise,

“if you please, reb tevye, pardon me, reb tevye.”

posing problems that would cross a rabbi’s eyes.

boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi.

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 a 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;

this would be the sweetest thing of all.

If I were a rich man,

daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh,

digguh, deedle, daidle, dum.

all day long I’d biddy, biddy bum,

If I were a wealthy man:

wouldn’t have to work hard,

daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh,

digguh, deedle, daidle, dum.

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?