If I Were a Rich Man

Lyrics

[Intro] I realize, of course, that it's no shame to be poor But it's no great honor either It's written "When a poor man eats a chicken, one of them is sick" So what would have been so terrible if I had a small fortune? [Chorus] If I were a rich man Yaba biba biba yaba baba biba biba bum All day long I'd biddy biddy bum If I were a wealthy man I wouldn't have to work hard Yaba biba biba yaba baba biba biba bum If I were a biddy biddy rich Yaidle deedle deedle daidle man [Verse 1] 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 would be one long staircase just going up And one even longer coming down And one more leading nowhere, just for show Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha [Verse 2] 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 *bird noises* Would land like a trumpet on the ear As if to say, "Here lives a wealthy man" Oy [Chorus] If I were a rich man Yaba biba biba yaba baba biba biba bum All day long I'd biddy biddy bum If I were a wealthy man I wouldn't have to work hard Yaba biba biba yaba baba biba biba bum If I were a biddy biddy rich Yeedle deedle daidle daidle man [Verse 3] I see my wife, my Golde, looking like a rich man's wife With a proper double chin Supervising meals to her heart's delight I'd 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 [Bridge] 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 Ya bee-ah boi-ah bum boi ba-ba-ba ba-bum And it won't make one bit of difference If I answer right or wrong When you're rich, they think you really know [Verse 4] 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 holy books with the learned men Seven hours every day That would be the sweetest thing of all Oy [Chorus] If I were a rich man Yaba biba biba yaba baba biba biba bum All day long I'd biddy biddy bum If I were a wealthy man I wouldn't have to work hard Yaba biba biba yaba baba biba biba bum Lord, who made the lion and the lamb You decreed I should be what I am Now would it spoil some vast eternal plan If I were a wealthy man?