Hodel:
Well, somebody has to arrange the matches,
Young people cant decide these things themselves.
Chava:
She might bring someone wonderful----
Hodel:
Someone interesting----
Chava:
And well off----
Hodel:
And important---
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,
Ill bring the veil,
You bring the groom,
Slender and pale.
Bring me a ring for Im 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.
Chava and Hodel:
For me, well,
I wouldnt 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 Im alone
So find me match,
Of my own.
(spoken)
Tzeitel:
Since when are you in a match, Chava? I thought you had your eye on your books.
(Hodel chuckles)
Tzeitel cont:
And you have your eye on the Rabbis son.
Hodel:
Well, why not?
We have only one Rabbi and he has only one son.
Why shouldnt I want the best?
Tzeitel:
Because youre a girl from a poor family.
So whatever Yenta brings, youll take, right?
Of course right!
(throws scarf over her head, imitating Yenta)
(singing)
Hodel, oh Hodel,
Have I made a match for you!
Hes handsome, hes young!
Alright, hes 62.
But hes a nice man, a good catch, true?
True.
I promise youll be happy,
And even if youre not,
Theres more to life than that---
Dont ask me what.
Chava, I found him.
Wont you be a lucky bride!
Hes handsome, hes tall,
That is from side to side.
But hes a nice man, a good catch, right?
Right.
You heard he has a temper.
Hell beat you every night,
But only when hes sober,
So youll alright.
Did you think youd 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 Im
Still very young.
Please, take your time.
Hodel:
Up to this minute,
I misunderstood
That I could get stuck for good.
Chava and Hodel:
Dear Yenta,
See that hes gentle
Remember,
You were also a bride.
Its not that
Im sentimental
Chava and Hodel and Tzeitel:
Its just that Im terrified!
Matchmaker, Matchmaker,
Plan me no plans
Im in no rush
Maybe Ive 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 hes a matchless match.