Matchmaker

[HODEL, spoken]
I wonder if Yente the matchmaker found a husband for you.

[TZEITEL, spoken]
Oh Yente, Yente, Yente!

[HODEL, spoken]
Well, somebody has to arrange the matches. Young people can't decide these things themselves.

[CHAVA, spoken]
She might bring someone wonderful—

[HODEL, spoken]
Someone interesting—

[CHAVA, spoken]
And well off—

[HODEL, spoken]
And important—

(sung)
Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match
Find me a find, catch me a catch
Matchmaker, matchmaker, look through your book
And makе me a perfect match

[CHAVA]
Matchmakеr, matchmaker, I'll bring the veil
You bring the groom, slender and pale
Bring me a ring for I'm longing to be
The envy of all I see

[HODEL]
For Papa, make him a scholar

[CHAVA]
For Mama, make him rich as a king

[HODEL & CHAVA]
For me, well, I wouldn't holler
If he were as handsome as anything

Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match
Find me a find, catch me a catch
Night after night in the dark I'm alone
So find me a match of my own

[TZEITEL, spoken]
Since when are you interested in a match, Chava? I thought you just had your eye on your books. (HODEL laughs.) And you have your eye on the Rabbi's son.

[HODEL, spoken]
Well, why not? We have only one Rabbi, he has only one son. Why shouldn't I want the best?

[TZEITEL, spoken]
Because you're a girl from a poor family. So whatever Yente brings, you'll take, right? Of course right!

(sung, imitating YENTE)
Hodel, oh Hodel
Have I made a match for you
He's handsome, he's young
Alright, he's sixty-two
But he's a nice man, a good catch
True? True

I promise you'll be happy
And even if you're not
There's more to life than that—
Don't ask me what

Chava, I found him
Will you be a lucky bride
He's handsome, he's tall
That is from side to side
But he's a nice man, a good catch
Right? Right

You heard he has a temper
He'll beat you every night
But only when he's sober
So you're alright

Did you think you'd get a prince?
Well, I do the best I can
With no dowry, no money, no family background
Be glad you got a man

[CHAVA]
Matchmaker, matchmaker, you know that I'm
Still very young
Please, take your time

[HODEL]
Up to this minute I misunderstood
That I could get stuck for good

[HODEL & CHAVA]
Dear Yente, see that he's gentle
Remember, you were also a bride
It's not that I'm sentimental

[TZEITEL, HODEL & CHAVA]
It's just that I'm terrified

Matchmaker, matchmaker, plan me no plans
I'm in no rush, maybe I've learned
Playing with matches a girl can get burned

So bring me no ring
Groom me no groom
Find me no find
Catch me no catch
Unless he's a matchless match