He came to greatest prominence in the role of Tevye the milkman in the long-running musical show Fiddler on the Roof, at Her Majesty's Theatre.[1] After scoring a major success on the West End stage, he later starred in the 1971 film version.
In 1972 Topol won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the film. He was on active service with the Israeli army at the time, but was granted permission to attend the awards ceremonies.
Some of his other notable appearances were in Galileo (1975), Flash Gordon (1980), and the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only (1981).
His autobiography, "Chaim Topol on Topol" was published in London and Israel.
If I Were A Rich Man
Topol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I realize, of course, that it's no shame to be poor.
But it's no great honor either!
So, what would have been so terrible if I had a small fortune?"
If I were a rich man,
ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum.
All day long I'd biddy biddy bum.
I wouldn't have to work hard.
ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum.
If I were a biddy biddy rich,
Yidle-diddle-didle-didle man.
I'd build a big tall house with rooms by the dozen,
Right in the middle of the town.
A fine tin roof with real wooden floors below.
There would be one long staircase just going up,
And one even longer coming down,
And one more leading nowhere, just for show.
I'd fill my yard with chicks and turkeys and geese and ducks
For the town to see and hear.
squawking just as merrily as they can
And each loud "cheep" and "swaqwk" and "honk" and "quack"
Would land like a trumpet on the ear,
As if to say "Here lives a wealthy man."
If I were a rich man,
ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum
All day long I'd biddy biddy bum.
If I were a wealthy man.
I wouldn't have to work hard.
ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum
If I were a biddy biddy rich,
Yidle-diddle-didle-didle man.
I see my wife, my Golde, looking like a rich man's wife
With a proper double-chin.
Supervising meals to her heart's delight.
I see her putting on airs and strutting like a peacock.
Oy, what a happy mood she's in.
Screaming at the servants, day and night.
The most important men in town would come to fawn on me!
They would ask me to advise them,
Like a Solomon the Wise.
"If you please, Reb Tevye..."
"Pardon me, Reb Tevye..."
Posing problems that would cross a rabbi's eyes!
And it won't make one bit of difference if I answer right or wrong.
When you're rich, they think you really know!
If I were rich, I'd have the time that I lack
To sit in the synagogue and pray.
And maybe have a seat by the Eastern wall.
And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, several hours every day.
That would be the sweetest thing of all.
If I were a rich man,
ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum.
All day long I'd biddy biddy bum.
If I were a wealthy man.
I wouldn't have to work hard.
ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum.
If I were a biddy biddy rich,
Yidle-diddle-didle-didle man.
Topol's "If I Were A Rich Man" is a playful and lighthearted song that centers around the singer, Tevye, lamenting about his financial struggles as a poor man, expressing his desire to be wealthy, and detailing what he would do if he had a large sum of money. In the opening lines of the song, Tevye acknowledges to God that he understands it is not shameful to be poor, but also implies that it is not an honorable situation either. He then goes on to fantasize how his life would change if he were rich, such as not having to work hard, being able to build a big house in the middle of town, and having a yard full of farm animals for everyone to see.
Tevye then visualizes his wife, Golde, as a rich man's wife, with a double chin and an air of superiority, enjoying the pleasures of supervising meals and screaming at servants. He also imagines being sought after by the most important men in town, who would look to him for advice and wisdom on various problems as if he were the wise King Solomon. Tevye concludes by stating that if he were wealthy, he would spend more time in the synagogue and studying holy books with the learned men, which would be the sweetest thing of all.
Overall, the song cleverly captures Tevye's yearning for a better life, while also highlighting the absurdity and materialism that often come with wealth.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear God, you made many, many poor people.
I acknowledge that there are many poor people in the world, and I am asking for your guidance.
I realize, of course, that it's no shame to be poor.
I understand that being poor is not something to be ashamed of.
But it's no great honor either!
However, being poor is not something to be proud of either.
So, what would have been so terrible if I had a small fortune?
Is it so terrible to dream of having wealth and security?
If I were a rich man,
In my imagination, if I had wealth,
ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum.
I would be so happy and carefree.
All day long I'd biddy biddy bum.
I would sing and dance all day long.
If I were a wealthy man.
If I had money and resources,
I wouldn't have to work hard.
I would not have to struggle to earn a living.
I'd build a big tall house with rooms by the dozen,
I would build a grand house with many rooms.
Right in the middle of the town.
I would place my house in the most prominent part of the town.
A fine tin roof with real wooden floors below.
I would have a beautiful tin roof and authentic wooden floors.
There would be one long staircase just going up,
I would have a grand staircase leading up to the various floors.
And one even longer coming down,
I would also have a grand staircase leading down to the floors below.
And one more leading nowhere, just for show.
I would even have a pointless staircase purely for aesthetic purposes.
I'd fill my yard with chicks and turkeys and geese and ducks
I would have a farm full of various animals in my yard.
For the town to see and hear.
The townspeople would be able to see and hear these animals.
squawking just as merrily as they can
The birds and animals would be making joyful noises.
And each loud "cheep" and "swaqwk" and "honk" and "quack"
These sounds would be like music to people's ears.
Would land like a trumpet on the ear,
The sounds would be so loud and lively that they would be impossible to ignore.
As if to say "Here lives a wealthy man."
The animals would symbolize my wealth and status.
I see my wife, my Golde, looking like a rich man's wife
I imagine my wife looking like a wealthy woman.
With a proper double-chin.
She would be well-fed and healthy looking.
Supervising meals to her heart's delight.
She would enjoy managing and organizing meals.
I see her putting on airs and strutting like a peacock.
She would act proud and confident, displaying her wealth and status.
Oy, what a happy mood she's in.
She would radiate happiness and joy.
Screaming at the servants, day and night.
She would have high expectations and demand respect from household staff.
The most important men in town would come to fawn on me!
People of importance in the town would show me great respect and admiration.
They would ask me to advise them,
They would seek my wisdom and counsel.
Like a Solomon the Wise.
Similar to King Solomon, who was a wise and respected leader.
"If you please, Reb Tevye..."
People would address me with respect and deference.
"Pardon me, Reb Tevye..."
They would be polite and courteous when speaking to me.
Posing problems that would cross a rabbi's eyes!
They would challenge me with problems that would be difficult for even a rabbi to solve.
And it won't make one bit of difference if I answer right or wrong.
Even if I don't have the answer, people would still respect me and think highly of me due to my wealth.
When you're rich, they think you really know!
People make assumptions and give undue respect to those who are wealthy.
If I were rich, I'd have the time that I lack
Having wealth would give me more free time to pursue other interests.
To sit in the synagogue and pray.
I would be able to devote more time to religious practices like prayer and study.
And maybe have a seat by the Eastern wall.
I would have a place of honor in the synagogue next to the most sacred wall.
And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, several hours every day.
I would take the opportunity to learn from the wisest and most knowledgeable men in the community.
That would be the sweetest thing of all.
This would be the ultimate luxury and joy for me.
If I were a biddy biddy rich,
If I were to become outrageously wealthy,
Yidle-diddle-didle-didle man.
I would live a life of joy and song.
Contributed by Declan T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@guru006
Hello everybody! I'm still alive! 😂 I'm glad you keep enjoying this old video after so long.
@minibaraka
Always!!
@christopherwhite7246
I like the video . I like the tune ; randomly , I guess I will return to trying playing violin .
@fretnesbutke3233
Never gets old!
@bikdigdaddy
Woah glad to see it!😁
@slightlychaotic8939
Thank you for uploading this clip, it's a masterpiece
@darlenep.campos3018
This was my grandfather's all-time favorite song. He begged me to watch this film for several years but I hesitated because I'm not a fan of musicals. Finally, I gave in and realized why he loved Fiddler on the Roof so much. After he passed away from a sudden heart attack in 2017, I found out he left his DVD copy of Fiddler on the Roof to me. I keep it in a safe place in my home. Whenever I miss him, I put this song on and pretend I'm singing with him. RIP Grandpa Hector 💔.
@UnNombreExpectacular
Leer tu comentario me emociono mucho. En paz descanse tú abuelito.
@HollyMoore-wo2mh
aww That was very sweet. I am sorry for your loss.
@brokespiderwebb
What a sweet story <3 I'm sure he's singing along with you