To Life

Here's to our prosperity, our good health and happiness, and most important ...
To life, to life, le chiem
Le chiem, le chiem, to life
Here's to the father I tried to be
Here's to my bride-to-be
Drink le chiem, to life
To life, to life, le chiem
Le chiem, le chiem, to life
Life has a way of confusing us
Blessing and bruising us
Drink le chiem, to life!

God would like us to be joyful, even when our hearts lie panting on the floor
How much more can we be joyful, when there's really something to be joyful for?
To life, to life, le chiem
To Tzeitel, my daughter--my wife
It gives you something to think about
Something to drink about
Drink le chiem, to life!

Le Morta!
Yes, Lazar Wolf?
Drinks for everyone!
What's the occasion?
I'm taking myself a bride!
Who is it?
Tevye's eldest, Tzeitel!

To Lazar Wolf
To Tevye!
To Tzeitel, your daughter--my wife!
May all your futures be pleasant ones
Not like our present ones
Drink le chiem, to life
To life, le chiem
Le chiem, le chiem, to life
It takes a wedding to make us say
"Let's live another day"
Drink le chiem, to life!

We'll raise a glass and sip a drop of schnapps in honor of the great good luck that favors you
We know that when good fortune favors two such men, it stands to reason, we deserve it too!
To us and our good fortune!
Be happy, be healthy, long life!
And if our good fortune never comes
Here's to whatever comes
Drink le chiem, to life!

Heaven bless you both, to your health and may we live together in peace!
May you both be favored with the future of your choice
May you live to see a thousand reasons to rejoice!

We'll raise a glass and sip a drop of schnapps in honor of the great good luck that favors you,
We know that when good fortune favors two such men, it stands to reason, we deserve it too!
To us and our good fortune!
Be happy, be healthy, long life!
And if our good fortune never comes
Here's to whatever comes
Drink le chiem, to life!