Do You Love Me?
Maria Karnilova; Milton Greene; Zero Mostel Lyrics
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Golde: Do I what?
Tevye: Do you love me?
Golde: Do I love you?
With our daughters getting married and this trouble in the town,
You're upset. You want out. Go inside. Go lie down.
Maybe it's indigestion.
Tevye: Golde, I'm asking you a question. Do you love me?
Golde: You're a fool!
Tevye: I know. But do you love me?
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?
Tevye: The first time I met you was on our wedding day. I was scared.
Golde: I was shy.
Tevye: I was nervous.
Golde: So was I.
Tevye: But my father and my father said we'd learn to love each other.
So, now I'm asking, Golde...
Tevye: Do you love me?
Golde: I'm your wife!
Tevye: I know. But do you love me?
Golde: Do I love him?
For twenty-five years, I've lived with him,
Fought with him, starved with him.
For twenty-five years, my bed is his.
If that's not love, what is?
Tevye: Then you love me?
Golde: I suppose I do.
Tevye: And I suppose I love you, too.
Together: It doesn't change a thing, but even so,
After twenty-five years, it's nice to know
The lyrics of Maria Karnilova's song "Do You Love Me" from the musical Fiddler on the Roof, depict a conversation between Tevye and Golde, a couple who has been married for twenty-five years, as Tevye questions Golde if she loves him. Golde first responds with confusion, attributing Tevye's question to the stress and trouble surrounding their family and village. Tevye persists, and Golde lists off all the practical things she has done for him in their marriage, implying that love was not a priority. Tevye reminds Golde of their first meeting and how their fathers believed they would learn to love each other. Finally, Golde admits that after living with him, fighting with him, and sharing a bed for twenty-five years, she does love him, and they both acknowledge that it doesn't change anything but is still nice to know.
The song highlights the traditional arranged marriages of the Jewish community, where love was not necessarily a driving force but rather a commitment to family and cultural expectations. It depicts the struggles of two people who did not fall in love at first sight but rather grew to appreciate each other's company and simple acts of service. Golde's practical responses illustrate the hardships of living in a small village with little to no options for relationships or marriage. However, by the end of the song, she recognizes that love has developed between them despite its late arrival.
Overall, the song offers a broader message about the nature of love and affection, demonstrating that love can grow and develop through shared experiences and hard work. It showcases the importance of communication and honesty in relationships and that even after many years, it's essential to recognize and appreciate your partner's love.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you love me?
Tevye is asking his wife, Golde, if she loves him.
Do I what?
Golde is confused by Tevye's question and asks him to explain what he means.
Do you love me?
Tevye repeats his question, wanting to know if Golde truly loves him.
You're upset. You want out. Go inside. Go lie down. Maybe it's indigestion.
Golde dismisses Tevye's question, thinking he is upset due to the stress of their daughters getting married and the trouble in town.
Golde, I'm asking you a question. Do you love me?
Tevye insists on getting an answer and repeats his question to Golde.
You're a fool!
Golde is frustrated with the timing of Tevye's question and calls him a fool.
I know. But do you love me?
Tevye persists in wanting to know if Golde loves him, showing his vulnerability and insecurity.
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 points out all the things she has done for Tevye in their 25-year marriage and questions why they should be discussing love at this point.
The first time I met you was on our wedding day. I was scared.
Tevye reminisces about his wedding day and how he felt when he first met Golde.
I was shy.
Golde remembers feeling shy when she first met Tevye on their wedding day.
But my father and my father said we'd learn to love each other. So, now I'm asking, Golde...
Tevye remembers the advice he received from his parents about learning to love each other and uses it as a reason to ask Golde if she loves him.
I'm your wife!
Golde is frustrated that Tevye feels the need to ask if she loves him since they are already married.
I know. But do you love me?
Tevye reiterates his question, showing his insecurity and need for reassurance.
For twenty-five years, I've lived with him, Fought with him, starved with him. For twenty-five years, my bed is his. If that's not love, what is?
Golde reflects on the shared experiences she has had with Tevye over their 25 years of marriage, and realizes that this is what true love is.
Then you love me?
Tevye is relieved when Golde finally confirms that she does love him.
I suppose I do.
Golde admits that she does love Tevye, coming to the realization that their shared experiences are a testament to their love for each other.
And I suppose I love you, too.
Tevye admits that he loves Golde as well, coming to the same realization that she did.
It doesn't change a thing, but even so, After twenty-five years, it's nice to know
Together, Tevye and Golde acknowledge that their love confession doesn't change anything significant in their marriage, but it's still nice to express love for each other after so many years.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BERRY GORDY JR, BERRY, JR GORDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind