Fiddler on the Roof

Example of Russian costumes and dancing in the YouTube video below.

Tevye's Chat at the beginning of the play:

Tevye: "A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But in our little area of Sandy, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck.

It isn't easy. You may ask, why do we stay up there if it's so dangerous? Why do we do things we do? What helps us keep our balance, even during the storms? Well, we stay and do the things we do because we have chosen this way of living and this place as our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word... Tradition."

Chorus: Tradition, tradition... tradition,

Tradition, tradition... tradition

Tevye: "Because of our traditions, we've kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Sandy, we have traditions for everything... how to eat and drink, how to sing and play with our families, how to serve one another and love our neighbors, even, how to wear clothes. For instance, as temple going adults and children, we are modest and keep ourselves clean to remain worthy of the Lord's house. This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, how did this tradition start? I'll tell you - I don't know. Probably a revelation!... But it's a tradition... Because of our traditions, everyone knows who he is and what God expects him to do."