Do You Love Me?
Chaim Topol Lyrics

Golde, I have decided to give Perchik permission to become engaged to our daughter, Hodel.
Tevye expresses his decision to Golde that he wants their daughter Hodel to get married to Perchik.

What??? He's poor! He has nothing, absolutely nothing!
Golde objects the decision by saying that Perchik is poor and has nothing to offer to their daughter.

He's a good man, Golde.
Tevye vouches for Perchik's character and calls him a good man.

I like him. And what's more important, Hodel likes him. Hodel loves him.
Tevye believes that Perchik is a suitable match for his daughter as Hodel loves him and he likes him too.

So what can we do? It's a new world... A new world. Love. Golde...
Tevye acknowledges the changing world and the increasing importance of love in the modern times, which is why he wants Hodel to marry Perchik. He calls out to Golde to understand his viewpoint.

Do you love me?
Tevye asks Golde if she loves him since he isn't sure about her feelings towards him after all these years.

Do I what?
Golde is surprised by Tevye's question and asks him to clarify what he means by it.

Do you love me?
Tevye repeats his question to Golde, asking her if she loves him.

Do I love you? With our daughters getting married And this trouble in the town You're upset, you're worn out Go inside, go lie down! Maybe it's indigestion
Golde tries to evade Tevye's question by saying that there are more important things to worry about, such as marrying off their daughters and the troubles in the town. She suggests that he might be feeling unwell and should go rest.

Golde I'm asking you a question...
Tevye insists on getting an answer from Golde for his question about her love for him.

You're a fool
Golde thinks that Tevye is foolish for asking her such a question after all these years of marriage.

But do you love me?
Tevye repeats his question, hoping for a clear answer from Golde.

Do I love you? For twenty-five years I've washed your clothes Cooked your meals, cleaned your house Given you children, milked the cow After twenty-five years, why talk about love right now?
Golde lists all the things she has done for Tevye in their 25 years of marriage and wonders why he is asking her about love right now when they have been committed to each other for so long.

Golde, The first time I met you Was on our wedding day I was scared
Tevye reminisces about the first time he met Golde on their wedding day and how he was scared at that time.

I was shy
Golde was shy on their wedding day and it was a new experience for her too.

I was nervous
Tevye was nervous on their wedding day too as it was a big step for them.

So was I
Golde agrees with Tevye that it was a nervous moment for both of them.

But my father and my mother Said we'd learn to love each other And now I'm asking, Golde Do you love me?
Tevye recalls that his parents said they would learn to love each other with time and now he wants to know if Golde actually loves him or not.

I'm your wife I know...
Golde agrees that she is Tevye's wife and acknowledges her commitment to him.

But do you love me?
Tevye repeats his question for the final time, hoping for a clear response from Golde.

Do I love him? For twenty-five years I've lived with him Fought him, starved with him Twenty-five years my bed is his If that's not love, what is?
Golde realizes that she does love Tevye after living with him for 25 years, facing challenges and sharing a life together. She answers Tevye's question by asking him that if this isn't love, then what is?

I suppose I do
Golde admits that she does love Tevye after all these years of marriage and knowing each other.

And I suppose I love you too
Tevye reciprocates Golde's feelings and states that he supposes he loves her too.

It change a thing But even so After twenty-five years It's nice to know
Both Tevye and Golde agree that this acknowledgement of love after so many years doesn't change anything in their relationship, but it's still nice to know how they feel about each other.