FIDDLER ON THE ROOF ('71): 'If I Were A Rich Man'

In Russia before the revolution, a Jewish milkman tries to marry off his daughters who have plans of their own.

[danielharrington]

How many times a week do I hear this song in my head, even mouthing, humming, or singing this soulful pondering…how many?

[nancybadolato]

NO ONE can ever do this song one bit better! May he RIP.

[davidfarmer]

R.I.P. Chaim Topol (September 9, 1935 – March 8, 2023).

[theatomicmom]

What talent. My parents LOVED Fiddler.

[mattware]

I don't really care for many musicals, but this song is great. I find myself singing it at work without realizing it lol

[richardpiper]

In army AIT we saw the movie one weekend right before we completed training at Ft. Leonard Wood. On our last day we took down the rope that protected the main aisle of the barracks that we kept highly polished for inspections. We then took turns scuffing the floor and trying to sing this song as we traversed the barracks from one end to the other. Then it was off to South Korea for me.

[Chanticlair]

You know what…longing to be a rich man is such an empty ambition. I’d rather pray for contentment in my soul and a happy heart.❤

[axinetaonoiu]

Very wonderful interpretation beautiful song !!

[ronchism]

It is not possible for me to count the number of times I've asked God,

"WOULD IT SPOIL SOME VAST, ETERNAL PLAN, if I were a wealthy

R.I.P Chaim Topol

[jurisstranga]

It is interesting - the musical is written by Jerry Bock according to the lines of Tevye the Milkman, but especially this song was inspired by If I were Rotschild - in both cases ithe author is Sholom Aleichem (1859 - 1916). the prominent Jewish writer.... RIP and the greatest thanks to Chaim Topol - the best Tevye I have ever heard!!!

[bigunone]

Vaya Con Dios Topol; thank you for the entertainment

[IntoAllTruth.]

I love how, at the end, he steps right in the poo.😅

[dgidrokanabinol]

From Chaim to Chaim there arose none like Chaim Topol.

[abelromantic]

U can always teach conditional sentence type 2

[iamyourdaddy]

God answered his prayer. At the end of the movie he is leaving for New York with his family and his son in law. Pre WWI. Imagine that.
A Jewish Tailor in NYC who is married to the love of his life ALL because his Father in Law broke Tradition.

[jasonjiang]

This song sounds kind of like Rich Girl by Gwen Stefani.