Fiddler on the Roof songs

Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. The show is set in Tsarist Russia in 1905. The original Broadway production of the show, which opened in 1964, was the first musical to surpass the 3,000 performance mark, and it held the record for longest-running Broadway musical for almost 10 years until Grease surpassed its run.

Songs From Act I

Tradition

"Tradition" is the entire prologue of Fiddler on the Roof. It starts out with a solo from the "Fiddler". Tevye continues, "A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no. But in our little village of Anatevka, you might say everyone is a Fiddler on the Roof. You might ask, 'if it's so dangerous there, why do we stay up?' Because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: Tradition!" Everyone starts dancing. There are 4 groups, the Papa, the Mama, the sons, and the daughters. Each groups says a little about themself. Eventually everyone is singing together. Tevye points out the others in the village, and explains how one person sold him a horse, but delivered a mule. A "fight" breaks out.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker

Matchmaker, Matchmaker is a song about Tevye's daughters wanting a perfect match for themselves.

Sabbath Prayer

This is a prayer that Golde and Tevye sing for Sabbath Dinner. In Jewish tradition, it is very important.

To Life

This is a joyful song sung by Tevye, Lazar Wolf, and the men in the bar to celebrate Lazar's engagement to Tzeitel..

Miracle of Miracles

This is Motel's solo. It is a love song sung to Tzeitel after they get permission to be engaged.

The Dream

This "dream" is Tevye's way of announcing the engagement to Golde... In which Lazar Wolf's deceased wife Fruma Sarah returns from the dead, and threatens Tzeitel to a terrifying end if she ends up marrying Lazar Wolf.

Sunrise, Sunset

This is the song sung at Motel and Tzeitel's wedding. It is about how fast the two children grew up. There are solos for Golde, Tevye, Perchik, and Hodel. The song is often played at weddings, and in 2011 Sheldon Harnick wrote two versions of the song, suitable for same-sex weddings, with minor word changes. For example, for male couples, changes include "When did they grow to be so handsome".[1]

Wedding Dance

This is the dance danced at the wedding. There is a bottle dance and a circle dance, and then Perchik decides to dance with Hodel. Eventually, Tevye, Golde, Motel, and Tzeitel do the partner dance too.

Songs From Act II

Now I Have Everything

This is sung mainly by Perchik, but Hodel joins in a few times. It is a love song to Hodel sung after they decide to get married.

Do You Love Me?

This song is sung by Tevye and Golde and shows of their love for one another.

The Rumor

This is about a rumor that starts from Yente reading Perchik's letter to Hodel saying he has been sent to Siberia. A verse is sung in turn by Mendel, Yente, Avram and Chorus.

Far From the Home I Love

This is Hodel`s solo. It shows the two opposite poles of her personality trying to come to a conclusion.

Chavaleh

This culminating song in Tevye's series of "inner monologues" grappling with changes to tradition proves most poignant; he dearly loves his daughter Chavaleh, his "Little Bird", but her change is too bold, and tradition demands that he disown her.

Anatevka

This song is sung by the whole village of Anatevka, minus Hodel, Perchik, Chava, and Fyedka. It shows their sorrow about leaving their village.

References

  1. ↑ Jones, Arnold Wayne. "'Sunrise, Sunset' gets gay lyric", Dallas Voice, October 6, 2011, accessed August 5, 2013

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