Do You Love Me
Zero Mostel & Maria Karnilova 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 song "Do You Love Me?" by Zero Mostel and Maria Karnilova from the musical Fiddler on the Roof is a conversation between Tevye and his wife Golde. Tevye, who is experiencing marital strife, asks Golde if she loves him. Golde, who is used to the routine of their marriage, dismisses the question before finally admitting that she does in fact love him.
The lyrics demonstrate the struggle of a couple who have been together for a long time and may be taking each other for granted. Through the conversation, the audience can see how both Tevye and Golde feel disconnected from each other due to their daily routine and the stressful events happening around them, such as their daughters getting married and trouble in their town. The repetitive questioning used by Tevye is not just for comedic effect but shows his desire for a connection with his wife.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you love me?
Tevye asks Golde if she loves him.
Do I what?
Golde is confused by the question.
Do you love me?
Tevye repeats the question.
Do I love you?
Golde questions why they need to talk about love.
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.
Golde dismisses the question because there are more important things to worry about.
Golde, I'm asking you a question. Do you love me?
Tevye insists on an answer to his question.
You're a fool!
Golde teases Tevye for asking such a silly question.
I know. But do you love me?
Tevye still wants an answer.
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 over the years and questions why he needs to ask about love after so long.
The first time I met you was on our wedding day. I was scared.
Tevye reminisces about their wedding day.
I was shy.
Golde admits to being shy on their wedding day.
I was nervous.
Tevye admits to being nervous on their wedding day.
So was I.
Golde confirms that she was also nervous.
But my father and my mother said we'd learn to love each other.
So, now I'm asking, Golde...
Do you love me?
Tevye recalls his parents' advice and asks the question again.
I'm your wife!
Golde reminds Tevye that they are married.
I know. But do you love me?
Tevye still wants an answer to his question.
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?
Golde realizes that all the time they have spent together is a form of love.
Then you love me?
Tevye asks for confirmation.
I suppose I do.
Golde admits that she loves Tevye.
And I suppose I love you, too.
Tevye admits his love for Golde as well.
It doesn't change a thing, but even so,
After twenty-five years, it's nice to know
Together, they recognize that their love doesn't change anything, but it's still nice to acknowledge it after all this time.
Lyrics © BOCK IP LLC , IMAGEM U.S. LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERRY GORDY JR, BERRY, JR GORDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind