Music: Jerry Bock/Sheldon Harnick
Yente: Tzeitel, Tzeitel darling, guess who I just saw?
Your sister Chava, with that Bielke.
And it’s not the first time I saw them together.
Tzeitel: You saw Chava with Bielke?
Yante: Would I make it up?
Oh, and Tzeitel, I happen to be at the post office today,
And the postman told me that he had a letter there for your sisterl Hodel.
Tzeitel: Wonderful. I’ll go get it.
Yante: I got it.
It’s from her intended, Perchik.
Tzeitel: Oh. Hodel would be so happy. She’s been waiting.
…it’s open.
Yante: It happened to be open.
Rifka, I have such news!
Remember Perchik, that crazy student?
Remember at the wedding
When Tzeitel married Motel
And Perchik started dancing
With Tevye's daughter Hodel?
Well, I just heard that Perchik's been arrested, in Kiev!
Others: No!
Yente: Yes!
Rifka: Shaindel, Shaindel Wait till I tell you.
Remember Perchik, that crazy student?
Remember at the wedding
He danced with Tevye's Hodel
Well, I just heard that Hodel's been arrested, in Kiev!
Others: No! terrible, terrible
Shaindel: Mirala. (Mendel: Rabbi... Rabbi!)
Do you remember Perchik (Remember Perchik,)
That student from Kiev? (with all his strange ideas?)
Remember how he acted (Remember Tzeitel's wedding?)
When Tzeitel married Motel?
Well, I just heard (Where Tevye danced with Golde)
That Motel's been arrested (Well, I just heard)
For dancing at the wedding (That Tevye's been arrested)
Others: No!
And Tevye’s gone to Kiev! (Mendel: …and Golde's gone to Kiev!)
Others: What!
Avram: Listen everybody! Terrible news! Terrible!
Remember Perchik (Yes!)
Who started all the trouble (So?)
Well, I just heard from someone who should know (What!)
That Golde's been arrested (Hey)
And Hodel's gone to Kiev (Hmm)
Motel studies dancing
And Tevye's acting strange
Shprintze has the measles
And Bielke has the mumps
Yente: And that's what comes from men and women dancing!