A really catchy, fun tune to play – “If I Were a Rich Man” is a song which is mad of simple notes that are played quite quickly, so easy to play and a fun challenge to master!
The song was made famous in the 1964 musical film “Fiddler on the Roof” and has been covered by Rolf Harris and sampled by Gwen Stefani in “If I Was a Rich Girl” – have a listen to the original on YouTube and enjoy playing!
“Dear God, you made many, many poor people.
I realize, of course, that it’s no shame to be poor
But it’s no great honor, either.
So what would have been so terrible
…if I had a small fortune?”
A G A G F# D
If I were a rich man,
F#-G A-G A-G
Daidle deedle daidle
F#-G A-B ^C-B ^C-B A
Daidle daidle deedle daidle dumb
Bb A G# G F-E D-E F
All day long I’d biddy-biddy-bum
F E D E F-D A
If I were a wealthy man!
A A – G A G F# D
I wouldn’t have to work hard,
F#-G A-G A-G
Daidle deedle daidle
F#-G A-B ^C-B ^C-B A
Daidle daidle deedle daidle dumb
Bb A G# G F-E D-E F
If I were a biddy-biddy rich,
F – E D-F E-D C-E D
Daidle deedle daidle daidle man!
F# G A Bb Bb Bb
I’d build a big tall house
Bb Bb ^C ^D ^C-Bb
With rooms by the dozen
A A A A-A A A A
Right in the middle of the town,
A G G G
A fine tin roof
G G A-Bb A G-F#
With real wooden floors below…
F# G A Bb Bb Bb-Bb
There would be one long staircase
Bb ^C-^D ^C
Just going up
Bb A A-A A-A A-A A
And one even longer coming down
A G G G-G F-E
And one more leading nowhere
D F A
Just for show…
F# G A B B B
I’d fill my yard with chicks
B B-^C ^D ^C
And turkeys and geese
B A A A A A A A A
And ducks for the town to see and hear,
G – G G G G-A-B A G F#
Squawking just as noisily as they can
F# G A
And each loud…
Bb – Bb Bb – Bb
“papa-geeee! papa-gaack!
Bb – ^C ^D – ^C
papa-geeee! papa-gaack!”
Bb A A A A-A A A A
Would land like a trumpet on the ear
A G G G G F E D-F A
As if to say, “Here lives a wealthy man!”
A G A G F# D
If I were a rich man,
F#-G A-G A-G
Daidle deedle daidle
F#-G A-B ^C-B ^C-B A
Daidle daidle deedle daidle dumb
Bb A G# G F-E D-E F
All day long I’d biddy-biddy-bum
F E D E F-D A
If I were a wealthy man!
A A – G A G F# D
I wouldn’t have to work hard,
F#-G A-G A-G
Daidle deedle daidle
F#-G A-B ^C-B ^C-B A
Daidle daidle deedle daidle dumb…
Bb A G# G F-E D E F
Lord who made the lion and the lamb
Bb A-G# G F E D E F
You decreed I should be what I am
Bb A G# G F E-D-E F
Would it spoil some vast, eternal plan
F E D E F-A ^C
If I were a wealthy man?!