If I were a rich man
Da da da da da da da da da da da da da dum
All day long I'd da da da da da
If I were a wealthy man
I wouldn't have to work hard
Da da da da da da da da da da da da da dum
If I were a biddy biddy rich
Da da da da da da da da 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 would be one long staircase 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 nosily as they can
And each loud quack and cluck and gobble and honk
Would land like a trumpet on the ear
As if to say, "Here lives a wealthy man."

If I were a rich man
Da da da da da da da da da da da da da dum
All day long I'd biddy biddy bum
If I were a wealthy man
I wouldn't have to work hard
Da da da da da da da da da da da da da dum
If I were a biddy biddy rich
Da da da da da da da da man
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 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 would 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
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 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

If I were a rich man
Da da da da da da da da da da da da da dum
All day long I'd bum bum bum bum bum
If I were a wealthy man
I wouldn't have to work hard
Da da da da da da da da da da da da da dum
Lord who made the lion and the lamb
You decred I should be what I am
Would it spoil some vast eternal plan
If I were a wealthy man