Wednesday, June 20, 2012

God would like us

l'cha·im    
noun Hebrew .

a toast used in drinking to a person's health or well-being.

Also, l'cha·yim, lechayim, lehayim.

Origin:

ləḥayyīm literally, to life
(from on-line Dictionary -- pronounced
"luh - ky' em")
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In Fiddler On The Roof,
they toast,
and then they sing:

(Tevye)

"Here's to our prosperity. Our good health and happiness. And most important,"
To life, to life, l'chaim

(Tevye & Lazar)

L'chaim, l'chaim, to life

(Tevye)
Here's to the father I've tried to be

(Lazar)
Here's to my bride to be

(Both)
Drink, l'chaim, to life, to life, l'chaim

L'chaim, l'chaim, to life

(Tevye)

Life has a way of confusing us

(Lazar)

Blessing and bruising us

(Both)

Drink, l'chaim, to life

(Tevye)

God would like us to be joyful
Even when our hearts lie panting on the floor

(Lazar)

How much more can we be joyful
When there's really something
To be joyful for

(Both)
To life, to life, l'chaim

(Tevye)
To Tzeitel, my daughter

(Lazar)
My wife!
It gives you something to think about

(Tevye)
Something to drink about

(Both)
Drink, l'chaim, to life

(Lazar - spoken)
"Reb Mordcha."

(Mordcha - spoken)
"Yes, Lazar Wolf."

(Lazar - spoken)
"Drinks for everybody!"

(Mendel - spoken)
"What's the occasion?"

(Lazar - spoken)
"I'm taking myself a bride!"

(All - spoken)
"Who? ... Who?"

(Lazar - spoken)
"Tevye's eldest, Tzeitel."

(All - spoken)
"Mazeltove... wonderful... congratulations."

(All - sung)
To Lazar Wolf

(Tevye)
To Tevye

(All)
To Tzeitel, your daughter

(Lazar)
My wife


(All)

May all your futures be pleasant ones

Not like our present ones

Drink, l'chaim, to life!

To life, l'chaim

L'chaim, l'chaim, to life...
It takes a wedding to make us say--
Let's live another day--

Drink, l'chaim, to life

We'll raise a glass
and
sip - a - drop - of -
schnapps
In
honor - of - the - great -
good
luck-That-favored-you

We know that
When
good
fortune favors two - such - men
It stands to reason we deserve it too! --

To us -- and our -- good fortune
Be happy, be healthy, long life!

And if our good fortune never comes
Here's to whatever comes
Drink, l'chaim, to life

Dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai
Dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai
Dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai
Dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai-dai

(a Russian)

Zachava zdarovia
Heaven bless you both nazdrovia
To your health and may we live together in peace

Zachava zdarovia
Heaven bless you both nazdrovia
To your health and may we live together in peace

May you both be favored with the future of your choice
May you live to see a thousand reasons to rejoice

(Other Russians)

Zachava zdarovia
Heaven bless you both nazdrovia
To your health and may we live together in peace

-----------------

(instrumental bridge // wild Russian dance)

-----------------

We'll raise a glass and sip a drop of schnapps
In honor of the great good luck
That favored you

We know that
When good fortune favors two such men
It stands to reason we deserve it too

To us and our good fortune
Be happy, be healthy, long life
And if our good fortune never comes
Here's to whatever comes
Drink, l'chaim, to life

(Tevye)

TO LIFE!

-30-

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