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"Dear God, you made many, many poor people. |
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I realize, of course, that it's no shame to be poor. |
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But it's no great honor either! |
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So, what would have been so terrible if I had a small fortune?" |
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If I were a rich man, |
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Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum. |
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All day long I'd biddy biddy bum. |
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If I were a wealthy man. |
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I wouldn't have to work hard. |
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Ya ha deedle deedle, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum. |
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If I were a biddy biddy rich, |
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Idle-diddle-daidle-daidle man. |
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I'd build a big tall house with rooms by the dozen, |
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Right in the middle of the town. |
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A fine tin roof with real wooden floors below. |
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There would be one long staircase just going up, |
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And one even longer coming down, |
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And one more leading nowhere, just for show. |
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I'd fill my yard with chicks and turkeys and geese and ducks |
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For the town to see and hear. |
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(Insert)Squawking just as noisily as they can. (End Insert) |
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With each loud "cheep" "swaqwk" "honk" "quack" |
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Would land like a trumpet on the ear, |
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As if to say "Here lives a wealthy man." |
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If I were a rich man, |
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Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum. |
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All day long I'd biddy biddy bum. |
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If I were a wealthy man. |
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I wouldn't have to work hard. |
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Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum. |
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If I were a biddy biddy rich, |
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Idle-diddle-daidle-daidle man. |
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I'd see my wife, my Golde, looking like a rich man's wife |
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With a proper double-chin. |
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Supervising meals to her heart's delight. |
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I see her putting on airs and strutting like a peacock. |
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Oy, what a happy mood she's in. |
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Screaming at the servants, day and night. |
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The most important men in town would come to fawn on me! |
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They would ask me to advise them, |
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Like a Solomon the Wise. |
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"If you please, Reb Tevye..." |
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"Pardon me, Reb Tevye..." |
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Posing problems that would cross a rabbi's eyes! |
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And it won't make one bit of difference if i answer right or wrong. |
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When you're rich, they think you really know! |
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If I were rich, I'd have the time that I lack |
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To sit in the synagogue and pray. |
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And maybe have a seat by the Eastern wall. |
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And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, several hours every day. |
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That would be the sweetest thing of all. |
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If I were a rich man, |
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Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum. |
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All day long I'd biddy biddy bum. |
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If I were a wealthy man. |
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I wouldn't have to work hard. |
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Idle-diddle-daidle-daidle man. |
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Lord who mad the lion and the lamb, |
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You decreed I should be what I am. |
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Would it spoil some vast eternal plan? |
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If I were a wealthy man. |
