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[TEVYE] |
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Tradition, tradition! Tradition! |
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Tradition, tradition! Tradition! |
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[TEVYE & PAPAS] |
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Who, day and night, must scramble for a living, |
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Feed a wife and children, say his daily prayers? |
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And who has the right, as master of the house, |
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To have the final word at home? |
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The Papa, the Papa! Tradition. |
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The Papa, the Papa! Tradition. |
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[GOLDE & MAMAS] |
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Who must know the way to make a proper home, |
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A quiet home, a kosher home? |
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Who must raise the family and run the home, |
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So Papa's free to read the holy books? |
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The Mama, the Mama! Tradition! |
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The Mama, the Mama! Tradition! |
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[SONS] |
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At three, I started Hebrew school. At ten, I learned a trade. |
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I hear they've picked a bride for me. I hope she's pretty. |
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The son, the son! Tradition! |
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The son, the son! Tradition! |
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[DAUGHTERS] |
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And who does Mama teach to mend and tend and fix, |
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Preparing me to marry whoever Papa picks? |
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The daughter, the daughter! Tradition! |
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The daughter, the daughter! Tradition! |
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[MATCHMAKER] |
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Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match. |
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Find me a find, catch me a catch. |
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Matchmaker, matchmaker, look through your book |
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And make me a perfect match. |
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Matchmaker, matchmaker, I'll bring the veil. |
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You bring the groom, slender and pale. |
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Bring me a ring, for I'm longing to be |
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The envy of all I see. |
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For Papa, make him a scholar. |
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For Mama, make him rich as a king. |
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For me, well, I wouldn't holler |
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If her were as handsome as anything. |
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Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match. |
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Find me a find, catch me a catch. |
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Night after night, in the dark, I'm alone. |
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So, find me a match of my own. |
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[TSEITEL] |
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Hodel, oh Hodel, have I made a match for you. |
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He's handsome! He's young! All right, he's 62. |
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But he's a nice man, a good catch. True? True! |
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I promise you'll be happy. And even if you're not, |
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There's more to life than that. Don't ask me what! |
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Chava! I've found him! Will you be a lucky bride! |
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He's handsome. He's tall! That is, from side to side. |
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But he's a nice man, a good catch, Right? Right! |
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You've heard he has a temper. He'll beat you every night. |
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But only when he's sober- so you're all right! |
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Did you think you'd get a prince? |
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Well I do the best I can. |
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With no dowry, no money, no family background, |
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Be glad you got a man! |
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Matchmaker, matchmaker, you know that I'm |
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Still very young. Please, take your time. |
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Up to this minute, I've misunderstood |
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That I could get stuck for good. |
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Dear Yenta, see that he's gentle. |
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Remember, you were also a bride. |
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It's not that I'm sentimental. |
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It's just that I'm terrified! |
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Matchmaker, matchmaker, plan me no plans. |
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I'm in no rush. maybe I've learned |
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Playing with matches a girl can get burned. |
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So bring me no ring, groom me no groom, |
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Find me no find, catch me no catch. |
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Unless he's a matchless match! |