Tevye's Monologue

You gave each other your pledge?
Yes, papa. We gave each other our pledge.

They gave each other a pledge
(Unheard of, absurd)
You gave each other a pledge?
(Unthinkable)
Where do you think you are?
In Moscow? In Paris? Where do think they are? America?
And what do you think you're doing?
You stitcher, you nothing! Who do think you are? King Solomon?

This isn't the way it's done, not here, not now
Some things I will not, I cannot, allow
Tradition!
Marriages must be arranged by the papa
This should never changed!
One little time you pull out a prop
And where does it stop?
Where does it stop?
Where does it stop?

Do I still have something to say about my daughter
Or doesn't anybody have to ask the father any more?

I have wanted to ask you for some time
Reb Tevye, but first I wanted to save up for my own sewing machine.

Stop talking nonsense
You're just a poor tailor.

That's true, Reb Tevye
But even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness
I promise you, Reb Tevye, your daughter will not starve.

He's beginning to talk like a man
But what kind of match would that be, with a poor tailor?
On the other hand, he's an honest, hard worker
On the other hand, he has absolutely nothing
On the other hand, things could never get worse for him, they could only get better.

They gave each other a pledge
Unheard of, absurd
They gave each other a pledge
Unthinkable
But look at my daughter's face
She loves him, she wants him
And look at my daughters eyes, so hopeful
Tradition!