Matchmaker

[HODEL, spoken]
Tzeitel, you're the oldest. Yente has to make a match for you before she can make one for me.

[TZEITEL, spoken]
Oh Yente, Yente!

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

[CHAVA, spoken]
Well, 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 make me a perfect match

[CHAVA]
Matchmaker, 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

[HODEL]
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. And you have your eye on the Rabbi's son.

[HODEL, spoken]
Well, why not? We only have one Rabbi and he only has 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
Won't 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?

[HODEL]
Right

[TZEITEL]
You heard he has a temper

[HODEL]
He'll beat you every night

[TZEITEL]
But only when he's sober

[TZEITEL & HODEL]
So you're alright

[TZEITEL]
Did you think you'd get a prince?

[CHAVA]
Well, I'll find the best I can

[TZEITEL & HODEL]
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

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