If I were a rich man, 
daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh, 
digguh, deedle, daidle, dum,
all day long I’d biddy, biddy bum, 

If I were a wealthy man:
wouldn’t have to work hard,
daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh, 
digguh, deedle, daidle, dum.
If I were a biddy, biddy rich, 
digguh, digguh, deedle, daidle 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 could be one long stair case 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 noisily as they can.
And each loud quack and cluck and gobble and honk
will sound like a trumpet on the ear;
as if to say here lives a wealthy man.

If I were a rich man, 
daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh, 
digguh, deedle, daidle, dum.
all day long I’d biddy, biddy bum.
If I were a wealthy man:
wouldn`t have to work hard,
daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh, 
digguh, deedle, daidle, dum.
If I were a biddy, biddy rich, 
digguh, digguh, deedle, daidle man.

Ii see my wife 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 will 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.
boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi, boi.
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 a 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;
this would be the sweetest thing of all.

If I were a rich man, 
daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh, 
digguh, deedle, daidle, dum.
all day long I’d biddy, biddy bum, 
If I were a wealthy man:
wouldn’t have to work hard,
daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh, 
digguh, deedle, daidle, dum.

Lord, who made the lion and the lamb, 
you decreed I should be what I am;
would it spoil some vast eternal plan, 
If I were a wealthy man?